Developing Quality Criteria for Community-Based Loneliness Interventions in Older Adults: An Evidence-Informed Framework

Community-based interventions addressing social isolation among older adults lack systematic quality assessment frameworks despite their public health importance. This study developed evidence-informed quality criteria for complex community-based health promotion interventions using a transdisciplinary approach. We conducted systematic literature searches for guidelines and evidence syntheses on social isolation interventions, followed by quality assessment using the following standardised tools: the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) and A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR 2). Quality criteria were categorised using a lifecycle-based framework and were supplemented with health promotion principles. A stakeholder panel (practitioners, funders, and target group representatives; n = 6) prioritised criteria through a two-round Delphi process including an intermediate workshop. We developed 39 evidence-informed quality criteria organised into four lifecycle domains: Programme Conditions (7 criteria), Programme Planning (17 criteria), Programme Implementation (12 criteria), and Programme Results (3 criteria). The framework integrates evidence from one clinical guideline, six systematic reviews, and established health promotion principles. This study demonstrates the systematic development of evidence-informed quality criteria through participatory stakeholder engagement. The framework provides practitioners and policymakers with a comprehensive tool for planning, implementing, and evaluating community-based interventions targeting social isolation among older adults, enhancing accountability and programme improvement capacity.