Group Psychotherapy for Loneliness

Overseen By Frankie Lui

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Lawson Health Research Institute

Disqualifiers: Disoriented, Delirious, Non-English speakers, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 8 weeks

50 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

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 the treatment Awareness, Courage, and Love Group Psychotherapy for loneliness?

Research shows that group psychotherapy can effectively help people resolve their problems and that these positive changes last over time. Additionally, a nondirective style, where the therapist guides rather than directs, may be more effective, which could be relevant for the Awareness, Courage, and Love Group Psychotherapy approach. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is group psychotherapy generally safe for humans?

Group psychotherapy is generally considered safe, but like any treatment, it can have some adverse effects. These effects are often related to the therapist's skills and the dynamics within the group, rather than the therapy itself. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

How is the Awareness, Courage, and Love Group Psychotherapy treatment different from other treatments for loneliness?

This treatment is unique because it focuses on group dynamics to help individuals gain insight into their unconscious motivations and improve social learning, which can be particularly effective for addressing loneliness by recreating collective life experiences and enhancing social connections. ^{2 4 7 8 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Loneliness is a key predictor of mortality in older adults, and is a prominent risk factor for mental and physical illness in older adulthood. The goal of this study is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a group loneliness intervention in geriatric psychiatry outpatients. This type of group loneliness intervention is based on functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP), called Awareness, Courage, and Love (ACL) Groups. The objective of this clinical trial is to adapt, implement, and evaluate the ACL group for outpatients.

Research Team

Serena Wong, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

St. Joseph's Health Care London

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for older adults who are experiencing loneliness and have psychiatric disorders. It aims to test a group therapy intervention specifically designed for geriatric psychiatry outpatients.

Inclusion Criteria

I am an older adult with a psychiatric condition.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive group psychotherapy intervention called Awareness, Courage, and Love Groups

8 weeks

8 sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for feasibility and acceptability of the intervention

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Awareness, Courage, and Love Group Psychotherapy

Trial Overview The study is testing the effectiveness of 'Awareness, Courage, and Love Group Psychotherapy', which is based on functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP) to address loneliness in older adults.

Participant Groups

Group I: Treatment: Group psychotherapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Treatment group receiving psychotherapy

Group II: Waitlist Active Control 1 Intervention

Waitlist control

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Lawson Health Research Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

684

Recruited

432,000+

London Health Sciences Centre OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Lead Sponsor

Trials

668

Recruited

424,000+

London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute and Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Lead Sponsor

Trials

686

Recruited

427,000+

London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Lead Sponsor

Trials

678

Recruited

421,000+

Western University, Canada

Collaborator

Trials

270

Recruited

62,500+

Findings from Research

The adapted meaning-centered group psychotherapy (MCGP) significantly improved quality of life (QoL) and reduced distress among Portuguese cancer patients, with 91 participants showing notable benefits after just four sessions.

Participants in the MCGP group experienced significant decreases in depression and anxiety compared to those receiving usual care, highlighting the potential efficacy of this therapy in enhancing psychological well-being for cancer patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Meaning-centered group psychotherapy in Portuguese cancer patients: A pilot exploratory trial. da Ponte, G., Ouakinin, S., Santo, JE., et al.[2023]

Group psychotherapy is increasingly recognized as an effective treatment method that combines social interaction and psychological insight, allowing patients to explore unconscious motivations and learn from each other in a supportive environment.

The success of group psychotherapy relies more on the therapist's commitment and facilitation skills than on the specific therapeutic approach used, highlighting the importance of a group-centered rather than leader-centered dynamic.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Group psychotherapy in psychiatry]. Battegay, R.[2006]

In a study of 180 in-patients undergoing group psychotherapy, 60-65% reported experiencing adverse events such as mood deterioration or unwanted treatment reactions, indicating that these therapies can have significant negative effects for many individuals.

The study found that while reports of unwanted treatment reactions decreased over time, they were negatively associated with symptom improvement, and 34% of patients prematurely terminated their therapy, highlighting the need to consider patient characteristics and group conditions as predictors of adverse events.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events of group psychotherapy in the in-patient setting - results of a naturalistic trial. Schneibel, R., Wilbertz, G., Scholz, C., et al.[2019]

Group psychotherapy is a versatile treatment method that includes various approaches, such as activity, analytic, and psychodrama, tailored to meet the needs of different patient diagnoses, including drug dependence and schizophrenia.

Patients with different conditions, like depression and neuroses, benefit from group therapy in unique ways; for instance, depressives may take longer to integrate but find relief once they do, while neurotics gain insights that can lead to improved social behavior.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The different kinds of group psychotherapy with patients with different diagnoses. Battegay, R.[2019]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative effectiveness of directive vs. nondirective group therapist style on client problem resolution. [2019]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Meaning-centered group psychotherapy in Portuguese cancer patients: A pilot exploratory trial. [2023]

3. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Some aspects of psychotherapy research exemplified by a comparison of open and closed therapy groups]. [2006]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Group psychotherapy in psychiatry]. [2006]

5. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The effectiveness of open and closed groups]. [2006]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events of group psychotherapy in the in-patient setting - results of a naturalistic trial. [2019]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Failures in group psychotherapy: the therapist variable. [2019]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The different kinds of group psychotherapy with patients with different diagnoses. [2019]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Group psychotherapy. [2018]

10. Bosnia and Herzegovina pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The importance of group psychotherapy in the rehabilitation of war survivors with psychological consequences. [2015]