Cycling Without Age Intervention: Effects on Loneliness, Social Isolation and Life Satisfaction of Older People

Social isolation and loneliness among older people are widespread, with an impact on physical and mental health. Cycling Without Age (CWA) is an international cycling programme developed to minimise social isolation and loneliness in older people. It involves trishaw (electric bicycle) rides in the open air, led by volunteer riders. This study aimed to analyse the effects of CWA intervention on loneliness and social isolation among older people living in Porto, Portugal.

Older adults (aged 55 years or older) living in the community or a nursing home were included. The intervention comprised at least four bicycle rides, with a duration between 30 and 60 min. A research protocol was applied before and after the intervention, which included the UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Abbreviated Lubben Social Network Scale.

A total of 47 participants (median age = 85 years) completed the intervention. Participants were mostly female (81%), widowed (66%) and living in nursing homes (72%). A statistically significant decrease in loneliness was found after the intervention (Median [IQR]_after = 24.0 [16.0] vs. before = 17.0 [6.0]; p < 0.05).

This preliminary work highlights the positive effect the CWA intervention may have on loneliness among older adults, which is consistent with other CWA programme studies. However, future research is required to evaluate whether these effects persist over time.