The Role of Social Prescribing in Alleviating Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: A Systematic Review Protocol

BackgroundSocial isolation and loneliness are significant public health concerns, particularly among older adults. Social prescribing, a non-medical intervention that links individuals to community-based support and activities, has gained attention as a potential solution. However, the effectiveness of social prescribing in addressing social isolation and loneliness in older adults remains unclear. ObjectiveThis systematic review aims to examine the current evidence on the role of social prescribing in alleviating social isolation and loneliness among older adults. MethodsA comprehensive search will be conducted in multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Scopus, from inception to July 2025. Gray literature sources and reference lists of included studies will also be searched. The PICO framework will be used to define the population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes of interest. Eligible studies will include randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and observational studies that assess the impact of social prescribing on social isolation and loneliness in adults aged 60 years and above. Two reviewers will independently screen titles, abstracts, and full-text articles using Covidence software. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment will be conducted using standardized tools. A narrative synthesis will be conducted to summarize the findings, with subgroup analyses based on study design, intervention characteristics, and participant demographics. DiscussionThis systematic review will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the existing evidence on the effectiveness of social prescribing in addressing social isolation and loneliness among older adults. The findings will inform healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers about the potential of social prescribing as a non-medical intervention and guide future research and implementation efforts. PROSPERO RegistrationCRD42024614147