Effectiveness of LISTEN on loneliness, neuroimmunological stress response, psychosocial functioning, quality of life, and physical health measures of chronic illness.

Only 27 adults completed the study, and the sample was mostly female and community-dwelling, so results may not apply to older men, long-term care residents, or more diverse populations. The paper did not state a single primary endpoint, and it tested many outcomes, so the significant loneliness and blood pressure results may be chance findings. Participants were not assessed for being native to Appalachia, so cultural factors may have influenced loneliness and social support. The intervention included group contact, writing, homework and narrative discussion, so the effect of any single component cannot be separated. Blood pressure, glucose and immune measures were exploratory or affected by chronic illness; the IL-6 groups were unequal at baseline.

Do not conclude that reducing loneliness with LISTEN caused the blood pressure change. The trial had 27 participants, tested many outcomes, and the intervention included weekly group contact, writing, homework and narrative discussion.