Digital Intervention for Loneliness in Aging Adults
(Dynamo Trial)
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Assess the impact of a remote, app-delivered digital meditation intervention on emotional well-being of lonely older adults. Neuroimaging, electrophysiological (EEG), and autonomic physiology will be used to assess the neural correlates of the intervention. EEG and autonomic physiology will be collected while participants watch 30 min of an awe-inspiring movie. fMRI and autonomic physiology will be collected in the context of a social exploration/exploitation task.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment for reducing loneliness in aging adults?
Is the digital intervention for loneliness in aging adults safe?
How is the Digital Meditation Intervention treatment different from other treatments for loneliness in older adults?
The Digital Meditation Intervention is unique because it uses a remote app to deliver mindfulness meditation training, which is a novel approach compared to traditional in-person therapies or technology-based interventions like video calls or computer training. This method focuses on enhancing mental well-being through meditation, potentially offering a more accessible and flexible option for older adults.39101112
Research Team
Lorenzo Pasquini, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of California, San Francisco
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for English-speaking older adults who are 65 or above, have little to no experience with meditation, and are cognitively healthy without major systemic diseases. They must not be active meditators, taking psychotropic drugs, or have severe psychiatric conditions. Also excluded are those with MRI contraindications like metal implants.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants engage with the digital meditation app for 15 minutes a day, five days a week for 6 weeks
Waitlist Control
Participants in the waitlist control group do not receive the intervention for the first 6 weeks
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in emotional well-being, loneliness, anxiety, stress, and depression after completing the intervention
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Active placebo
- Intervention
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, San Francisco
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborator