Impact of a Virtual Game, ‘Name That Band,’ on Older People’s and PharmD Students’ Feelings of Social Isolation During COVID-19

Abstract

Background Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, PharmD students at the University of Arizona (UArizona) had a long-standing relationship with the older people at St. Luke’s Home, a local Eden Alternative assisted-living community. Hosting community engagement programs for assisted-living residents was challenging with COVID-19 precautions and older individuals suffering from social isolation and loneliness. Objective To determine the impact of playing a virtual game, ’Name That Band,’ on older people's and PharmD students’ feelings of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Questionnaires were administered before and after a virtual game to residents at St. Luke’s Home and PharmD students at UArizona. Participants were asked about their mood before COVID-19 and pre-and postgame, as well as their social interactions and feelings of loneliness using the Modified UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale, which assesses a composite score of lack of companionship, feelings of being left out, and isolation. Results Fifteen older people and 11 students participated in the game (N = 26). All participants completed the pregame survey and 25 completed the postgame survey. The older people reported fewer feelings of isolation and loneliness (measured by a reduction in UCLA Loneliness Scale score) postgame compared with pregame. The students reported a higher total UCLA Loneliness Scale score during the pandemic than prepandemic, but there was no difference in their scores postgame compared with pregame. More older people and students reported feeling ‘happy’ after playing the virtual game together compared with before the pandemic and before playing. The aspect of the activity that helped older people and students feel more socially engaged was playing a game. Conclusion A social intervention using a virtual game may be a tool that can be used to decrease feelings of isolation and increase engagement for older people residing in an assisted-living community.