Life Story Club for Loneliness and Apathy

(LSC Feasible Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Mirnova Ceide, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Montefiore Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Severe sensory loss, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 12

Duration: 12 weeks

50 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how a virtual program called Life Story Club can help older adults feel less lonely and more connected. The program includes group sessions where participants share personal stories, potentially boosting mood and mental sharpness. Individuals who are 60 or older, speak English or Spanish, and have internet or phone access might be suitable candidates. This trial excludes those with severe hearing or vision problems or a dementia diagnosis. As an unphased trial, participants contribute to understanding how storytelling affects well-being in older adults.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. Since this is a non-drug therapy, it's likely you can continue your medications, but you should confirm with the trial organizers.

What prior data suggests that this therapy is safe for older adults?

Research has shown that group reminiscence therapy, such as the Life Story Club, is a safe treatment. It involves no medical procedures or drugs. Studies have found that this therapy can enhance mood and mental health without risk. No reports of negative effects or side effects have emerged from participating in these sessions. This makes it a well-accepted choice for older adults seeking to feel less lonely and more engaged. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Life Story Club because it uses a unique approach called Virtual Group Reminiscence Therapy to tackle loneliness and apathy. Unlike traditional treatments like medication or one-on-one therapy sessions, this method involves participants sharing personal stories in a virtual group setting, fostering connections and reducing feelings of isolation. This interactive and communal approach not only offers emotional support but also stimulates cognitive engagement, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals who feel disconnected or uninspired.

What evidence suggests that Life Story Club is effective for reducing loneliness and apathy?

Research has shown that reminiscence therapy, such as the Life Story Club, can improve mood and reduce loneliness in older adults. A review of studies found that home-based activities can significantly increase social connections and decrease depression in seniors. Although specific studies on the Life Story Club are limited, similar online group therapies have shown promise in reducing loneliness and disinterest. This suggests that the Life Story Club might help participants feel more connected and less lonely. Further research would help confirm these benefits. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Mirnova Ceide, MD

Principal Investigator

Montefiore Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for community-dwelling older adults who are experiencing loneliness or apathy. Participants should be interested in joining virtual group sessions where they share personal stories as a form of reminiscence therapy.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 60 years old or older.

Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Dementia based on Aging and Dementia (AD8) score of ≥4 or previous dementia diagnosis

Lack of access to internet connection or phone

I have severe hearing or vision loss.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive virtual group reminiscence therapy intervention weekly

12 weeks

12 virtual sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in loneliness, apathy, cognition, and other measures

3 months

Extended Follow-up

Further monitoring of participants for changes in primary and secondary outcomes

additional 3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Life Story Club

Trial Overview The Life Story Club, which conducts virtual group reminiscence therapy, is being tested to see if it can reduce feelings of loneliness and apathy among older adults by promoting social engagement and cognition.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Life Story Club Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Virtual Group Reminiscence Therapy

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Montefiore Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

468

Recruited

599,000+

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

Collaborator

Trials

394

Recruited

404,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Home-based interventions significantly improve social connectedness and reduce loneliness and depressive symptoms among older adults, based on a meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials.

Interventions lasting more than three months and delivered through mixed platforms (like online and in-person) were particularly effective, suggesting that the format and duration of these programs are important for their success.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of home-based interventions in improving loneliness and social connectedness among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Chua, CMS., Chua, JYX., Shorey, S.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12177422/

Virtual Life Story Club Intervention to Improve Loneliness ... This study aims to explore the feasibility of a Life Story Club intervention to improve loneliness and apathy in community-dwelling older adults.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06919094

A Virtual Life Story Club Intervention to Improve Loneliness ... This pilot study will be conducted to compare loneliness and apathy in lonely individuals without dementia at baseline who receive a virtual group reminiscence ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1064748124001234

Life Story Club for Cognitively Impaired Older Adults There were no significant differences in the baseline GDS (t=0.418, p=0.682), caregiver burden (t=1.419, p=0.105), or loneliness (t=0.160, p=0.440; t=-0.285, p= ...

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-apathy-4-2025-04069

Life Story Club for Loneliness and Apathy Home-based interventions significantly improve social connectedness and reduce loneliness and depressive symptoms among older adults, based on a meta-analysis ...

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/390209566_A_Virtual_Life_Story_Club_Intervention_to_Improve_Loneliness_and_Apathy_in_Community-Dwelling_Older_Adults_Protocol_for_a_Mixed-Methods_Feasibility_Study_Preprint

A Virtual Life Story Club Intervention to Improve Loneliness ... Abstract and Figures ; This study is a prospective, nonrandomized, mixed methods ; feasibility study testing the impact of the LSC intervention.

6. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/jfmpc/fulltext/2025/03000/reviving_memories,_revitalizing_minds__the_impact.23.aspx

The impact of group reminiscence therapy on well-being ... The present study focused on examining the efficacy of group reminiscence therapy on the mental health and psychological well-being of elderly individuals.

7. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/30495334251345093

The Impact of eBook Clubs on Apathy Among Long Term ... This study explored the impact of eBook clubs as a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce apathy.