Feasibility of a Telephone-Delivered Group Meditation Intervention for Chronically Ill Socially Isolated Older Adults

ABSTRACT

Objectives

This pilot study assessed the feasibility of a group-based telephone-delivered meditation intervention to reduce social isolation in older adults. It included weekly training sessions and daily practices of loving-kindness meditation in small groups via telephone conferences for six weeks and an extended group meditation practice for another six weeks.

Methods

Community-living older adults (age 60+) with multiple chronic conditions and experiencing social isolation were recruited. Each participant was assessed at the pretest, posttest, and follow-up (6 and 12 weeks after pretest). Outcome measures included social interaction, loneliness, and depressive symptoms. Open-ended questions were asked in the posttest and follow-up.

Results

Sixteen individuals enrolled, and fourteen completed the program (87.5% retention). Completers showed high levels of adherence (95% attendance to training) and acceptability and a statistically significant increase in social interaction at follow-up. Qualitative data suggest that participants experienced changes in emotion regulation, motivation and confidence, and sense of belonging.

Conclusions

A group-based telephone-delivered meditation intervention targeting chronically ill older adults who experience social isolation is technically feasible, very acceptable, and potentially beneficial to them.

Clinical Implications

Older adults enjoy learning meditation. Telephone conferencing is a low-cost tool for engaging socially isolated older adults in social interactions and group meditation.

KEYWORDS:

• Loneliness
• loving-kindness meditation
• social connection
• technology-based intervention

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the University of Michigan School of Social Work Pilot Grant Award. We thank our research assistants, Jenna Canning and Sarah Augustyniak, for helping with study implementation and data collection and study participants for sharing their experiences.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The study participants did not consent to publicly sharing their data. Due to the sensitive nature of the research, supporting data is unavailable.