A major new study led by a team from the University of York, Hull York Medical School, and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust has shown significant reductions in depression levels, surpassing those seen with antidepressants. Participants experienced a 21% decrease in emotional loneliness over three months, with sustained benefits even after the intervention ended. This underscores the lasting impact of the treatment and brings hope for the future.
The Behavioural Activation in Social Isolation trial (BASIL+ trial), initiated shortly after the outbreak of the 2020 pandemic, is the largest trial to address and measure loneliness precisely. Published in The Lancet (Healthy Longevity), the study marks a significant progression in the evidence base for preventing loneliness.
The trial targeted individuals over 65 with multiple long-term conditions who were at high risk of loneliness and depression due to COVID-19 shielding measures. Supported by a £2.6M grant from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), it was the only mental health trial given priority by the NHS under its Urgent Public Health programme during the pandemic, involving hundreds of older adults across 26 UK sites.
As political and health leaders increasingly recognize the critical issue of loneliness, the World Health Organization has declared it a ‘Global Health concern’ and initiated an international commission to address it. The findings from the BASIL+ trial are expected to contribute significantly to this global effort. The trial’s impact is underscored by its scope and timing, occurring as the Jo Cox Commission highlights that 9 million people in the UK suffer from loneliness, prompting a governmental strategy to tackle the issue, including a ministerial appointment.
The study was co-led by Professor Simon Gilbody and Professor David Ekers, who noted the personal connection many team members had to the issue. They shared stories of their older relatives who faced isolation during the lockdown, which fueled their passion for this research. Their empathy and personal experiences informed the trial’s approach, which has been validated in this large-scale study. Professor Ekers expressed enthusiasm about the UK’s leadership in vaccine development and mental health advancements during the pandemic, enhancing understanding of effective interventions for loneliness based on lessons from this challenging period.
More information: Simon Gilbody et al, Behavioural activation to mitigate the psychological impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on older people in England and Wales (BASIL+): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial, The Lancet Healthy Longevity. DOI: 10.1016/S2666-7568(23)00238-6
Journal information: The Lancet Healthy Longevity Provided by University of York
