The effect of Digital Inclusion for Active Living (DIAL) program for community-dwelling older adults on loneliness and social isolation: a quasi-experimental study.
Background Digital inclusion has been recognised as a potential strategy to mitigate loneliness and social isolation among older adults. However, limited studies have explored comprehensive interventions targeting digital access, use, literacy and social participation. This study aims to investigate...
| Publicado en: | Age & Ageing Vol. 55; no. 6; pp. 1 - 13 |
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| Autores principales: | , , , , |
| Formato: | Artículo |
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Oxford University Press / USA
Jun2026
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ssf&AN=195099706&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ssf uiTerm: 195099706 longDbName: Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson) uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: jinfo: jid: 00020729 AGA jtl: Age & Ageing issn: 00020729 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: Jun2026 vid: 55 iid: 6 pid: 622 pub: Oxford University Press / USA artinfo: ui: 195099706 10.1093/ageing/afag148 ppf: 1 ppct: 12 formats: tig: atl: The effect of Digital Inclusion for Active Living (DIAL) program for community-dwelling older adults on loneliness and social isolation: a quasi-experimental study. aug: au: Wang, Hanqian Wu, Yuyan Sun, Ruyu Ling, Feng Li, Lu affil: Policy Research Office, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaSchool of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Policy Research Office, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Stomatology Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaSchool of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaHangzhou International Urbanology Research Center & Zhejiang Urban Governance Studies Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaShulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China su: China Social capital Internet addiction Evaluation of human services programs Clinical trials Loneliness Social integration Computer literacy Social networks Social support Health education Social isolation Digital technology Independent living Research funding T-test (Statistics) Multiple regression analysis Questionnaires Descriptive statistics Research methodology Data analysis software Confidence intervals sug: subj: Social capital Internet addiction Evaluation of human services programs Clinical trials Loneliness Social integration Computer literacy Social networks Social support Health education Social isolation China Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) Other Individual and Family Services Digital technology Independent living Research funding T-test (Statistics) Multiple regression analysis Questionnaires Descriptive statistics Research methodology Data analysis software Confidence intervals keyword: aged community community-dwelling older adults copyrightHolder:British Geriatrics Society copyrightYear:2026 digital inclusion https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afag148 inLanguage:en literacy loneliness primary outcome measure publisher:Oxford University Press sameAs:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42361311/ social capital social isolation social networks social support aged community community-dwelling older adults copyrightHolder:British Geriatrics Society copyrightYear:2026 digital inclusion https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afag148 inLanguage:en literacy loneliness primary outcome measure publisher:Oxford University Press sameAs:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42361311/ social capital social isolation social networks social support ab: Background Digital inclusion has been recognised as a potential strategy to mitigate loneliness and social isolation among older adults. However, limited studies have explored comprehensive interventions targeting digital access, use, literacy and social participation. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the Digital Inclusion for Active Living (DIAL) program in reducing loneliness and social isolation among community-dwelling older adults. Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted with older adults. Participants were assigned to either an intervention group (receiving the 6-month DIAL program, integrating digital skills training, social networking support and health education) or a control group. Primary outcomes were loneliness measured with the 20-item University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, and social isolation measured with the Lubben Social Network Scale-6. Secondary outcomes included digital inclusion and social capital. Data were collected at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. The intention-to-treat principle was used to compare the effects of intervention between the two groups. This trial is registered with ChiCTR registry (ChiCTR2400081199, registration date: 20 February 2024). Results Between 11 March 2024, and 30 September 2024, 126 eligible participants (63 per group) were assessed. The mean age of participants was 70.1 years (SD = 6.24), and 54 (42.9%) were men. The intervention group showed significant reduction in loneliness (B = −0.894, 95% CI = −1.55, −0.24) and improved social network scores (B = 0.394, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.77) versus controls. Time–group interactions revealed sustained improvements in loneliness (B = −2.032, 95% CI = −3.50, −0.56) and social isolation (B = 1.000, 95% CI = 0.28, 1.72) for the intervention group. Secondary outcomes demonstrated increased digital inclusion, social capital and reduced problematic Internet use. Conclusion The DIAL program was associated with alleviating loneliness and social isolation while enhancing digital inclusion and social capital among older adults. A multifaceted approach combining digital access, literacy and social engagement may improve mental health in ageing populations. Future research should employ randomised trials with larger, more diverse samples to confirm long-term benefits. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: Article src: R language: English refInfo: copyright: @attributes: flag: N holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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