Objectives: The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a videoconference intervention program in improving nursing home residents’ social support, loneliness, and depressive status. Methods: Fourteen nursing homes were selected from various areas of Taiwan by purposive sampling. Elderly residents (N = 57) of these nursing homes, who met our inclusion criteria were divided into experimental (n = 24) and control (n = 33) groups. The experimental group received five min/week of videoconference interaction with their family members for three months, and the control group received regular care only. Data were collected through face-to face interviews on social support, loneliness, and depressive status using the Social Supportive Behavior Scale, University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, and Geriatric Depression Scale, respectively, at three points (baseline, one week, and three months after baseline). Data were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation approach. Results: Subjects in the experimental group had significantly higher mean emotional and appraisal social support scores at one week and three months after baseline than those in the control group. Subjects in the experimental group also had lower mean loneliness scores at one week and three months after baseline than those in the control group, and lower mean depressive status scores at three months after baseline. Conclusion: Our videoconference program alleviated depressive symptoms and loneliness in elderly residents in nursing homes. Our findings suggest that this program could be used for residents of long-term care institutions, particularly those with better ability to perform activities of daily living.

Changes in Depressive Symptoms, Social Support, and Loneliness Over 1 Year After a Minimum 3-Month Videoconference Program for Older Nursing Home Residents

Background. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health problem worldwide. Multidisciplinary intervention helps improve outcomes for CKD patients. We conducted an open-label, randomized controlled trial to examine the impact of self-management support (SMS) in the outcome of late-stage CKD patients. Methods. Incidental CKD (Stages III–V) patients were randomized into self-management support (SMS) and non-SMS groups and followed up for 12 months. SMS comprised health information, patient education, telephone-based support and the aid of a support group. The primary end points were absolute estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) alteration and number of hospitalization events. The secondary end points were an eGFR decrease of up to 50%, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) demanding renal replacement therapy (RRT), all-cause mortality or a composite secondary end point. Results. The study included 54 patients; 27 patients were randomized into an SMS group and the same number into a non-SMS group. The absolute eGFR at the end of the study was significantly higher in SMS patients than in the non-SMS group (29.11 ± 20.61 versus 15.72 ± 10.67 mL/min; P < 0.05). There were fewer hospitalization events for SMS patients than for non-SMS patients [5 (18.50%) versus 12 (44.47%); P < 0.05]. One patient (3.7%) in the SMS group and nine (33.3%) in the non-SMS group had an eGFR reduction of >50% (P < 0.05). However, survival analysis of the composite secondary end points of ESRD that required RRT and all-cause mortality revealed no differences between the two groups. Conclusions. Our randomized study suggests that a standardized SMS program may play a significant role in reducing CKD progression and morbidity of late-stage CKD patients.