The PLINY project has started recruiting participants this month.
PLINY is a randomised control trial looking at the effectiveness of telephone
friendship groups to improve wellbeing in people aged 75+. It is funded by the
National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme and by
Age UK.
The primary aim of the study is to determine whether a
measurement of mental wellbeing significantly increases in participants who receive
the telephone friendship intervention, compared with a control group who will
receive no research intervention.
We
also hope to establish whether or not telephone groups have a lasting impact on
wellbeing as well as physical health. The study will use qualitative methods to
identify any psychosocial and environmental factors, and any implementation
issues, that may mediate the effectiveness of the intervention; these findings will
be of value to the public and voluntary sector. Finally, economic evaluations will
be conducted as there is the potential that an intervention to combat
loneliness, like telephone friendship groups, are particularly important in
times of limited budgets.
The
study is looking to recruit 250 people who are aged 75 years or over, living independently, with good cognitive
function and an ability to converse in English.
The
intervention is being co-ordinated by Age UK Sheffield who have recruited a
number of volunteers to facilitate the groups. Sheffield NHS Trusts and
Sheffield City Council are assisting with identification of potential
participants. For more information please, look at our project summary.
[Written
by Louise Newbould]
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