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Of 240 participants enrolled, 13 were lost to follow-up in the intervention arm and 1 in the control arm. Results The 240 participants were aged 27 to 101 years, with 63% aged at least 65 years (n = 149 of 232), 56% living alone (n = 135 of 240), 79% women (n = 190 of 240), 39% Black or African American (n = 94 of 240), and 22% Hispanic or Latino (n = 52 of 240), and all reported at least 1 chronic condition.

Secondary outcomes were depression (Personal Health Questionnaire for Depression), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale), and self-rated health (Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire). Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcome was loneliness (3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale, range 3-9 and 6-item De Jong Giervald Loneliness Scale, range 0-6). Each called 6 to 9 participants over 4 weeks daily for the first 5 days, after which clients could choose to drop down to fewer calls but no less than 2 calls a week.

Interventions Sixteen callers, aged 17 to 23 years, were briefly trained in empathetic conversational techniques. A total of 296 participants were screened, of whom 240 were randomized to intervention or control. The study included MOWCTX clients who fit their service criteria, including being homebound and expressing a need for food. Meals on Wheels Central Texas (MOWCTX) clients received calls in their homes or wherever they might have been when the call was received. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted. Loneliness, depression, and anxiety were measured using validated scales at enrollment and after 4 weeks. Objective To determine whether a layperson-delivered, empathy-focused program of telephone calls could rapidly improve loneliness, depression, and anxiety in at-risk adults.ĭesign, Setting, and Participants From July 6 to September 24, 2020, we recruited and followed up 240 adults who were assigned to receive calls (intervention group) or no calls (control group) via block randomization. Importance Loneliness is a risk factor for many clinical conditions, but there are few effective interventions deployable at scale.