Randomised controlled trial of the Caring Connections intervention to reduce loneliness and perceived social isolation in persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders: study protocol

BMJ Open, 2022 · DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063246 · Published: October 12, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Mental Health Social Support

Simple Explanation

This study addresses the understudied issues of perceived social isolation and loneliness among individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). It introduces Caring Connections (CC), a peer-based letter writing program designed to foster positivity. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Caring Connections intervention through a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Participants in the intervention group will be compared to a control group receiving informational materials. The primary goal is to measure changes in loneliness and social isolation outcomes over a 6-month period. The study also includes a process evaluation to gather feedback on the intervention's benefits and areas for improvement.

Study Duration

May 2022 to April 2025

Participants

62 Veterans with chronic SCI/D

Evidence Level

Level 1, Randomized controlled trial

Key Findings

1
The study hypothesizes that the Caring Connections intervention will lead to a reduction in loneliness among participants compared to the control group after the 6-month intervention period.
2
The study also anticipates a decrease in perceived social isolation among participants in the Caring Connections intervention group compared to the control group after the intervention.
3
The research includes a plan to widely disseminate findings through healthcare organizations, publications, and conferences, aiming to promote the intervention's adoption if proven successful.

Research Summary

This study aims to evaluate the Caring Connections intervention, a peer-based letter writing program, for reducing loneliness and perceived social isolation in individuals with SCI/D through a randomized controlled trial. The study will involve 62 community-dwelling Veterans with chronic SCI/D, comparing the intervention group to an attention control group over a 6-month period, with loneliness as the primary outcome. The findings will be disseminated to healthcare organizations and peer-reviewed journals to promote the intervention if proven successful in mitigating social isolation and loneliness.

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

If proven effective, the Caring Connections intervention could be integrated into SCI/D care to address social isolation and loneliness, potentially improving mental health and quality of life.

Community Interventions

The peer-based approach of Caring Connections may serve as a model for developing similar community-based interventions for other vulnerable populations experiencing social isolation.

Healthcare Policy

Successful implementation and dissemination of Caring Connections could influence healthcare policies to prioritize and address social health issues in SCI/D patients.

Study Limitations

1
The study is limited to Veterans with SCI/D receiving care from VA facilities, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
2
The inability to blind assignment into intervention and control conditions may introduce bias, although the impact is expected to be minimal due to self-reported data collection.
3
The study's focus on a specific intervention (letter writing) may not capture the full range of potential strategies for addressing social isolation and loneliness.

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