ApathyLSC FeasibleNCT06919094
A Virtual Life Story Club Intervention to Improve Loneliness and Apathy in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
A study testing Life Story Club in people with Apathy and Loneliness, run by Montefiore Medical Center at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Reminiscence therapy is a non-invasive, non-pharmacological intervention that has been shown to improve cognition, mood, functional status, quality of life, and apathy in older adults. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Apathy, Loneliness, Reminiscence Therapy
- What is being tested?
- Life Story Club
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 15 Aug 2025to 31 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 60 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 60 and over
- English or Spanish fluency
- Able to provide informed consent
Who cannot join
- Dementia based on Aging and Dementia (AD8) score of ≥4 or previous dementia diagnosis
- Severe auditory or visual loss
- Lack of access to internet connection or phone
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Montefiore Medical Center
The Bronx, New York, 10467
Mirnova Ceide, MD, 347-920-0112, mceide@montefiore.org
About this study
Official title: A Virtual Life Story Club Intervention to Improve Loneliness and Apathy in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study
Reminiscence therapy is a non-invasive, non-pharmacological intervention that has been shown to improve cognition, mood, functional status, quality of life, and apathy in older adults. Group reminiscence therapy combines structured social engagement and recounting of personal stories that address both social connection (a risk factor for cognitive decline) and cognition. Life story club© (LSC) is an established, non-profit organization that provides virtual, group reminiscence therapy for older adults to reduce loneliness and promote a sense of belonging and has not been formally studied.
Read the detailed description
The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of a LSC© intervention to improve loneliness and apathy in community-dwelling older adults.
This pilot study will be conducted to compare loneliness and apathy in lonely individuals without dementia at baseline who receive a virtual group reminiscence therapy intervention (vGRT). The intervention will be delivered weekly over 12 weeks. Loneliness and apathy will be assessed before and after the intervention as described in the Outcome Measures section of this registration. Feasibility will be assessed using quantitative and qualitative measures including feasibility of screening and enrollment, acceptability, and program satisfaction. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with a subset of 30 individuals to explore acceptability, barriers, and facilitators of the intervention.
This study will provide evidence for the feasibility of a virtual group reminiscence therapy for community dwelling older adults to reduce loneliness and apathy. This approach is both innovative and pragmatic because it will leverage an existing community-based service, with an established infrastructure and track record within the community to deliver the intervention. As such, the proposed research has the potential for broad implications for community-based research and aligns with multiple translational science principles.
- Conditions
- Apathy, Loneliness, Reminiscence Therapy
- Being tested
- Life Story Club
- Keywords
- Apathy, Social Isolation, Loneliness, Reminiscence Therapy
- Medical subject headings
- Lethargy, Social Isolation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Life Story ClubBehavioural
Virtual group reminiscence therapy will be provided by the Life Story Club©. Participants will meet virtually via Zoom© with their group (6-10 people) weekly for one hour over a 12-week period to exchange life stories and share in conversation. Groups will be conducted in entirely in English or Spanish, based on participant preference. Each week, the LSC© facilitator will guide the group with question prompts to encourage participants to share personal information, build friendships \& rapport, and create a sense of community. LSC© facilitators are trained in group interview techniques, technology management, and know how to respond appropriately to sensitive information that may emerge during group exchanges.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Life Story Club | Experimental | Virtual Group Reminiscence Therapy Receives: Behavioral: Life Story Club |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Loneliness
Loneliness will be assessed using the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale questionnaire. The UCLA Loneliness Scale is a 20-item measure that assesses how often a person feels disconnected from others. Participants provide responses using a 4-point Likert scale where 1 = never; 2 = rarely; 3 = sometimes; 4 = always, for an overall possible scoring range of 20-80, such that higher scores are associated with increased loneliness. Positively worded items in the questionnaire must be reverse-coded before reporting. For purposes of this study changes from baseline to 3 months and baseline to 6 months will be assessed whereby positive values are indicative of an increase in loneliness from baseline and negative values a decrease in loneliness from baseline. Group scores will be summarized using basic descriptive statistics.
Measured: From baseline to 3 months and 6 months
Change in Apathy
Apathy will be assessed using the self-reported Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES-S). The AES-S is an 18-item questionnaire that addresses characteristics of goal directed behavior that reflects apathy including behavioral, cognitive, and emotional indicators. Participants provide responses based on a 4-point Likert scale where 1 = not at all true; 2 = slightly true; 3 = somewhat true; and 4 = very true, for an overall possible scoring range of 18-72, such that higher scores are associated with greater apathy. Positively worded items in the scale must be reverse-coded before reporting. For purposes of this study changes from baseline to 3 months and baseline to 6 months will be assessed whereby positive values are indicative of increased apathy from baseline and negative values decreased apathy from baseline. Group scores will be summarized using basic descriptive statistics.
Measured: From baseline to 3 months and 6 months
Secondary outcomes (4)
Change in cognition
Cognition will be assessed using a version of the Telephone-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA). The T-MoCA is a 22-item phone-administered exam which assesses a range of global cognitive domains including attention, memory, language, and orientation. Each item is one point yielding an overall possible scoring range of 0-22, with higher scores being indicative of better cognitive function. Scores of 18 or below are generally suggestive of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). For purposes of this study changes from baseline to 3 months and baseline to 6 months will be assessed whereby positive values are indicative of increased cognition from baseline and negative values decreased cognition from baseline. Group scores will be summarized using basic descriptive statistics. To reduce practice effect Version (V)8.1 will be administered at baseline, V8.2 at 3 months, and V8.3 at 6 months. Scoring ranges are identical for all 3 versions.
Measured: From baseline to 3 months and 6 months
Change in Meaning and Purpose
Meaning and purpose will be assessed as a composite measure using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Meaning and Purpose 4-item scale. The 4-item scale is designed to assess an individual's subjective experience of meaning and purpose in life. Participants provide responses on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1-5 for an overall possible scoring range of 4-20, such that higher scores are associated with greater meaning and purpose. For purposes of this study changes from baseline to 3 months and baseline to 6 months will be assessed whereby positive values are indicative of increased experiences of meaning and purpose from baseline and negative values decreased experiences of meaning and purpose from baseline. Group results will be summarized using basic descriptive statistics
Measured: From baseline to 3 months and 6 months
Change in Depressive Symptoms
Depressive symptoms will be assessed by administration of the Geriatric Depression Scale - Short Form (GDS-15), The GDS-15 is a 15-item questionnaire in which participants provide a dichotomous (Yes/No) response as to how they have felt over the prior week. Answers suggestive of depression are bolded/italicized on the questionnaire (may either be 'Yes' or 'No' depending on the item). A score of 1 point is assigned for each bolded/italicized response such that higher scores are associated with more depressive symptoms. A score of 0 to 5 is normal. A score greater than 5 suggests depression. For purposes of this study changes from baseline to 3 months and baseline to 6 months will be assessed whereby positive values are indicative of increase in depressive symptoms from baseline and negative values a decrease in depressive symptoms from baseline. Results will be summarized using basic descriptive statistics.
Measured: From baseline to 3 months and 6 months
Change in Social Support
Social Support will be assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support Scale. The MOS is a 19-item multidimensional, self-administered instrument that measures the availability of support, if needed. The overall social support component of the MOS Social Support scale will be used. Participants provide responses on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1-5 for an overall possible scoring range of 19-95, such that higher scores are associated with greater availability of social support. For purposes of this study changes from baseline to 3 months and baseline to 6 months will be assessed whereby positive values are indicative of increased social support and purpose from baseline and negative values decreased social support from baseline. Group results will be summarized using basic descriptive statistics
Measured: From baseline to 3 months and 6 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Apr 2025
- Study start15 Aug 2025
- Primary completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (8)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for ApathyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- Reminiscence therapy will be provided by the Life Story Club©. Participants will meet virtually via Zoom© with their group (6-10 people) weekly for one hour over a 12-week period to exchange life stories and share in conversation.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Montefiore Medical Center
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Mirnova Ceide, MD, Principal investigator, Montefiore Medical Center
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06919094
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025-16787
- Other IDs
- UM1TR004400, 2025
- Acronym
- LSC Feasible
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Mar 2025
- Last updated
- 25 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: Data sharing to be determined.
Publications
Allen AP, Doyle C, Roche RAP. The Impact of Reminiscence on Autobiographical Memory, Cognition and Psychological Well-Being in Healthy Older Adults. Eur J Psychol. 2020 May 29;16(2):317-330. doi: 10.5964/ejop.v16i2.2097. eCollection 2020 May.
PubMed 33680185Choy JCP, Lou VWQ. Effectiveness of the Modified Instrumental Reminiscence Intervention on Psychological Well-Being Among Community-Dwelling Chinese Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016 Jan;24(1):60-69. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2015.05.008. Epub 2015 May 19.
PubMed 26419735Cuevas PEG, Davidson PM, Mejilla JL, Rodney TW. Reminiscence therapy for older adults with Alzheimer's disease: A literature review. Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2020 Jun;29(3):364-371. doi: 10.1111/inm.12692. Epub 2020 Jan 26.
PubMed 31984570Kirk M, Rasmussen KW, Overgaard SB, Berntsen D. Five weeks of immersive reminiscence therapy improves autobiographical memory in Alzheimer's disease. Memory. 2019 Apr;27(4):441-454. doi: 10.1080/09658211.2018.1515960. Epub 2018 Sep 8.
PubMed 30198380Platel H, Eustache ML, Coppalle R, Viard A, Eustache F, Groussard M, Desgranges B. Boosting Autobiographical Memory and the Sense of Identity of Alzheimer Patients Through Repeated Reminiscence Workshops? Front Psychol. 2021 Feb 15;12:636028. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.636028. eCollection 2021.
PubMed 33679562Syed Elias SM, Neville C, Scott T. The effectiveness of group reminiscence therapy for loneliness, anxiety and depression in older adults in long-term care: a systematic review. Geriatr Nurs. 2015 Sep-Oct;36(5):372-80. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2015.05.004. Epub 2015 Jun 19.
PubMed 26099638Saragih ID, Tonapa SI, Yao CT, Saragih IS, Lee BO. Effects of reminiscence therapy in people with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2022 Dec;29(6):883-903. doi: 10.1111/jpm.12830. Epub 2022 Apr 17.
PubMed 35348260Lok N, Bademli K, Selcuk-Tosun A. The effect of reminiscence therapy on cognitive functions, depression, and quality of life in Alzheimer patients: Randomized controlled trial. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2019 Jan;34(1):47-53. doi: 10.1002/gps.4980. Epub 2018 Sep 24.
PubMed 30246408