Lancet Healthy Longev January 2025 PMID 39855242

The effects of volunteering on loneliness among lonely older adults: the HEAL-HOA dual randomised controlled trial.

Dannii Yuen-Lan Yeung, Da Jiang, Lisa Marie Warner, Namkee G Choi, Rainbow Tin Hung Ho, Jojo Yan Yan Kwok, Kee-Lee Chou

Mentions

15
Peak: 4 in Mar 2025
across 5 sources since Jan 2025

Extended reach

7,596
potential audience

Total likes

7

Video views

368

Mentions per month

Jan 2025 – Jun 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter7 posts
  • Bluesky3 posts
  • News2 articles
  • Blogs2 articles
  • YouTube1 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions emphasize the significance of the study by mentioning specific results like a 41% reduction in loneliness and advocate for social volunteering as a critical tool for older adult wellbeing. The tone is positive but tempered with curiosity, reflecting recognition of the study's potential impact on social and healthcare practices.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions endorse the positive findings of the study, highlighting the substantial reduction in loneliness due to volunteering.

InterestModerate interest

Comments show moderate curiosity, with some posts questioning the significance or relevance of the research but generally recognizing its importance.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants reference specific results, such as a 41% decrease in loneliness with volunteering, and discuss implications for aging populations, indicating active engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The emphasis on practical benefits and references to policy relevance suggest that the discussions see the study as having a meaningful influence on geriatric care and social interventions.

Abstract in brief

  • The study focused on exploring how structured social volunteering over 12 months can help reduce loneliness among lonely older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, using a carefully controlled trial in Hong Kong.
  • Participants were older Chinese individuals (aged 50-70) who were lonely, low-income, living alone, digitally excluded, and willing to volunteer at least 2 hours weekly; they were randomly assigned to either a volunteering group or a control group receiving psychoeducation.
  • Results were measured through loneliness scales at 6 and 12 months to assess whether volunteering activities effectively decreased loneliness compared to the control group, with evaluations conducted before and after the intervention period.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
白土大成┃第12回日本サルコペニア・フレイル学会大会 副実行委員長
@shiratsuchi_ger · X

ボランティア活動が孤独感に与える影響:RCT The effects of volunteering on loneliness among lonely older adults: the HEAL-HOA dual randomised controlled trial https://t.co/OVI1e8g21q

Jun 24, 2025 · 4 likes · 1 share · 824 followers View post →
Casey Thomas
@TheEsportsRD · X

Reminder: Be good to your fellow humans! It helps you too. Research trial showed volunteers who helped others cut loneliness by 41% during COVID-19. The 41% drop stayed as long as they kept volunteering. https://t.co/KNFAIpAZkO

Feb 26, 2025 · 2 likes · 934 followers View post →
HIFA
@hifa_org · X

RT @maggietarpley: The effects of volunteering on loneliness among lonely older adults: the HEAL-HOA dual randomised controlled trial - The…

Jan 22, 2025 · 1 share · 3,705 followers View post →
Rei Ono
@Kobe_ROno · X

RT @shiratsuchi_ger: ボランティア活動が孤独感に与える影響:RCT The effects of volunteering on loneliness among lonely older adults: the HEAL-HOA dual randomi…

Jun 24, 2025 · 1 share · 1,029 followers View post →
maggie
@maggietarpley · X

The effects of volunteering on loneliness among lonely older adults: the HEAL-HOA dual randomised controlled trial - The Lancet Healthy Longevity https://t.co/7IqvhCYBBZ

Jan 22, 2025 · 1 share · 361 followers View post →
AgingPapers
@AgingPapers · X

[Biblio au hasard] Trouvez-vous cette référence suffisamment intéressante pour l’intégrer dans notre #veille #bibliographique #gériatrique AgingPapers ? Cc @DrMaeker ? https://t.co/CnK8RmYYR2 1/5

Mar 16, 2025 · 181 followers View post →

All mentions

Rei Ono
@Kobe_ROno · X

RT @shiratsuchi_ger: ボランティア活動が孤独感に与える影響:RCT The effects of volunteering on loneliness among lonely older adults: the HEAL-HOA dual randomi…

Jun 24, 2025 · 1 share · 1,029 followers View post →
白土大成┃第12回日本サルコペニア・フレイル学会大会 副実行委員長
@shiratsuchi_ger · X

ボランティア活動が孤独感に与える影響:RCT The effects of volunteering on loneliness among lonely older adults: the HEAL-HOA dual randomised controlled trial https://t.co/OVI1e8g21q

Jun 24, 2025 · 4 likes · 1 share · 824 followers View post →
Éric Maeker
@dr.maeker.fr · Bluesky

The effects of volunteering on loneliness among lonely older adults: the HEAL-HOA dual randomised controlled trial. Lancet Healthy Longev 2025 2/5

Mar 16, 2025 · 1 share View post →
Éric Maeker
@dr.maeker.fr · Bluesky

[Biblio au hasard] Trouvez-vous cette référence suffisamment intéressante pour l’intégrer dans notre #veille #bibliographique #gériatrique AgingPapers ? Cc @dr.maeker.fr ? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39855242 1/5

Mar 16, 2025 · 1 share View post →
AgingPapers
@AgingPapers · X

[Biblio au hasard] Trouvez-vous cette référence suffisamment intéressante pour l’intégrer dans notre #veille #bibliographique #gériatrique AgingPapers ? Cc @DrMaeker ? https://t.co/CnK8RmYYR2 1/5

Mar 16, 2025 · 181 followers View post →
AgingPapers
@AgingPapers · X

@DrMaeker The effects of volunteering on loneliness among lonely older adults: the HEAL-HOA dual randomised controlled trial. Lancet Healthy Longev 2025 2/5

Mar 16, 2025 · 181 followers View post →
Casey Thomas
@TheEsportsRD · X

Reminder: Be good to your fellow humans! It helps you too. Research trial showed volunteers who helped others cut loneliness by 41% during COVID-19. The 41% drop stayed as long as they kept volunteering. https://t.co/KNFAIpAZkO

Feb 26, 2025 · 2 likes · 934 followers View post →
HIFA
@hifa_org · X

RT @maggietarpley: The effects of volunteering on loneliness among lonely older adults: the HEAL-HOA dual randomised controlled trial - The…

Jan 22, 2025 · 1 share · 3,705 followers View post →
maggietarpley.bsky.social
@maggietarpley.bsky.social · Bluesky

The effects of volunteering on loneliness among lonely older adults: the HEAL-HOA dual randomised controlled trial - The Lancet Healthy Longevity www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

Jan 22, 2025 · 1 share View post →
maggie
@maggietarpley · X

The effects of volunteering on loneliness among lonely older adults: the HEAL-HOA dual randomised controlled trial - The Lancet Healthy Longevity https://t.co/7IqvhCYBBZ

Jan 22, 2025 · 1 share · 361 followers View post →