In London, most people sustained support to reconnect with others
Twenty-four of 30 people with complex anxiety or depression attended at least the program’s minimum number of meetings. This was a pilot trial of 40 adults.
The key idea
In this pilot trial, the program could be offered and continued at both centers. There is not yet a firm answer about its effect.
The study, in plain language
Connecting with other people can be difficult when anxiety or depression complicates daily life. The program, called Community Navigator, offered support to review existing relationships, choose goals, and seek social activities. At two London centers, 30 people received it alongside usual care, while 10 received usual care alone.
Most people who received the program attended at least the planned minimum number of meetings. Loneliness and depression were also measured, but the comparison between groups showed no firm difference in depression. Finding that answer was not the aim of this first trial: the more concrete progress was being able to offer the support and sustain most participants’ involvement over six months.
What they found
- The support began with each person’s relationships, then helped them choose goals and approach social activities.
- Most people who received the program attended the minimum number of meetings, and most of the full sample completed follow-up.
- The comparison in depression showed no firm difference. The main question was whether the program could be delivered.
How they studied it
In a six-month pilot trial, 40 adults with complex anxiety or depression from two London public health centers were assigned in a three-to-one ratio to the program plus usual care or to usual care alone. The team also interviewed participants.
What the study cannot show
- The sample was small and came from two centers in London.
- There was no blinding, and the loneliness scale used left little room to detect change.
- The trial was not large enough to establish efficacy or generalize to the whole population.
Something to think about
You could ask which relationships you already have and what activity you would like to approach. This question came from the program, which was tested here only to see whether it could be offered.
The original study
The Community Navigator Study: Results from a feasibility randomised controlled trial of a programme to reduce loneliness for people with complex anxiety or depression
Source under CC BY 4.0. English adaptation and explanation by PaperFlow, with AI assistance. The text has been reorganized for a general audience; it is not the complete paper and does not imply endorsement by its authors.
One study alone does not represent a field's consensus. Educational content does not replace professional advice. Report a possible error.
