The Leveraging Exercise to Age in Place (LEAP) Study: Engaging Older Adults in Community-Based Exercise Classes to Impact Loneliness and Social Isolation

OBJECTIVE: Social isolation and loneliness are associated with morbidity and mortality in older adults. Limited evidence exists regarding which interventions improve connectedness in this population. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: In this pre-post study we assessed community-based group health class participants’ (age ≥50) loneliness and social isolation. Participants (n = 382) were referred by a Cedars-Sinai Medical Network (Los Angeles, California) healthcare provider or self-referred from the community (July 2017–March 2020). INTERVENTION: Participants met with a program coordinator and selected Arthritis Exercise, Tai Chi for Arthritis, EnhanceFitness, or the Healthier Living Workshop. MEASUREMENTS: We measured social isolation using the Duke Social Support Index (DSSI) and loneliness using the UCLA 3-item Loneliness Scale at baseline, class completion, and 6 months. RESULTS: Mean age was 76.8 years (standard deviation, SD = 9.1); 315 (83.1%) were female; 173 (45.9%) were Non-Hispanic white; 143 (37.9%) were Non-Hispanic Black; 173 (46.1%) lived alone; mean baseline DSSI score was 26.9 (SD = 4.0) and mean baseline UCLA score was 4.8 (SD = 1.8). On multivariable analysis adjusted for gender, race/ethnicity, income, self-rated health, and household size, DSSI improved by 2.4% at 6-week compared to baseline (estimated ratio, ER: 1.024; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.010–1.038; p-value = 0.001), and 3.3% at 6-month (ER: 1.033; 95% CI: 1.016–1.050; p-value <0.001). UCLA score after adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, live alone, number of chronic conditions, income, and self-rated health, did not change at 6-week (ER: 0.994; 95% CI: 0.962–1.027; p-value = 0.713), but decreased by 6.9% at 6-months (ER: 0.931; 95% CI: 0.895–0.968; p-value <0.001). CONCLUSION: Community-based group health class participants reported decreased loneliness and social isolation at 6-month follow-up.