PALS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Project About Loneliness and Social networks (PALS): a cluster-randomised trial comparing GENIE with usual care for socially-isolated people
IRAS ID
232890
Contact name
Rebecca Band
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN19193075
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Around 30% of the UK population experience loneliness. Older people, and those with long-term health problems are far more likely to be lonely and isolated than those in good health. Feeling lonely and isolated also has a negative impact on a person’s emotional and physical health, and costs the NHS money due to more medical appointments and hospital visits. Evidence has shown that connecting with community resources can help protect against loneliness for those most at-risk.
This study will test if it is possible to reduce the negative impacts of loneliness and social isolation by focussing on the support networks that people have around them. GENIE is an online tool that allows people to map their social networks (which may include friends, family, groups, pets, daily activities). It also asks people about their interests and activities they might like to try to match them up with local activities. We will explore how GENIE can be used to improve social networks using existing local community groups and resources, to provide emotional and physical health benefits to participants.
The aim of the study is to assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the GENIE intervention compared to usual care within a community setting among at-risk populations, and to understand the implementation of GENIE in the context of different organisations who work in this environment.REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SC/0245
Date of REC Opinion
25 May 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion