The programs analysed included animal-assisted, contacts with families through videoconferencing, gardening and/or horticulture workshops, reminiscence therapies, humour therapies, and cognitive interventions. The results show that intervention programs are effective to reduce the feeling of loneliness. The methodological limitations of the studies are discussed and future research is recommended.
Programs to combat loneliness in the institutionalised elderly: A review of the scientific literature
 
  Keywords
 
 
  
   Loneliness
  
 
 
  
   Elderly
  
 
 
  
   Institutionalisation
  
 
 
  
   Intervention programs
  
 
 
  
   Efficacy
  
 
Loneliness is a problem that affects a very high percentage of older people, and can lead to <dis>physical and/or mental illness</dis>. 
This article aims to present a systematic review of programs to combat loneliness directed towards the institutionalised elderly. 
Experimental and quasi-experimental articles published between 2000 and 2016 were included in the review. 
An analysis was carried out on the quality of the methodological evidence of each of the articles. 
The programs analysed included animal-assisted, contacts with families through videoconferencing, gardening and/or horticulture workshops, reminiscence therapies, humour therapies, and cognitive interventions. 
The results show that intervention programs are effective to reduce the feeling of loneliness. 
The methodological limitations of the studies are discussed and future research is recommended.

Loneliness is a problem that affects a very high percentage of older people, and can lead to physical and/or mental illness. 
This article aims to present a systematic review of programs to combat loneliness directed towards the institutionalised elderly. 
Experimental and quasi-experimental articles published between 2000 and 2016 were included in the review. 
An analysis was carried out on the quality of the methodological evidence of each of the articles. 
The programs analysed included animal-assisted, contacts with families through videoconferencing, gardening and/or horticulture workshops, reminiscence therapies, humour therapies, and cognitive interventions. 
The results show that intervention programs are effective to reduce the feeling of loneliness. 
The methodological limitations of the studies are discussed and future research is recommended.

The programs analysed included animal-assisted, contacts with families through videoconferencing, gardening and/or horticulture workshops, reminiscence therapies, humour therapies, and cognitive interventions. The results show that intervention programs are effective to reduce the feeling of loneliness. The methodological limitations of the studies are discussed and future research is recommended.