The Loneliness Epidemic Tailoring Interventions to Reduce Loneliness and Pain

Approximately 24% of community-dwelling older adults are socially isolated, and over 40% of adults 60 and older report feeling lonely. Over 50% of midlife and older adults who perceive their health as fair or poor are lonely in contrast to 27% percent who believe their health to be excellent or very good. Loneliness has been associated with high mortality and inflammation which can influence symptoms such as pain. Social isolation and pain further contribute to loneliness. Studies have reported one and a half greater odds of being socially isolated among older adults with clinical osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and/or knee than someone with similar characteristics without OA. Pain is significant because it is highly prevalent among older adults and is associated with disability, social isolation, and greater costs and burden to health care systems. A recent review of the literature found that several interventions influence social isolation and loneliness. As these interventions require in-person interaction, those who are socially isolated or distanced due to pain may not benefit due to a lack of access. Current advancements in technology and social media may provide opportunities to reduce loneliness and pain due to social isolation. Online and technology-based interventions have shown potential to engage older adults to improve communication and social connection. Given that socialization with these approaches are supportive only when the other person is available for that interaction. An intervention that utilizes technology to incorporate solitary interventions may be efficacious. Studies found a trend for a positive relationship between the use of a voice assistant and loneliness in aging adults living alone. Building upon this evidence on loneliness and pain research, conversational voice assistant (CVA) technology and personalized persuasion, investigators will conduct a 12-week randomized control pilot with older adults that live alone and self-report pain. Participants will interact with a standard or a personally enhanced loneliness routine delivered through a CVA. Investigators will explore intervention feasibility and examine the efficacy of both standard and personalized interventions on loneliness and secondary outcomes.