Reviewed by Nicola Diviani and Jane Clemensen

Yi-Ru Regina Chen, PhD#1 and Peter J Schulz, PhD21Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, China (Hong Kong)2University of Lugano, Lugano, SwitzerlandYi-Ru Regina Chen, Hong Kong Baptist University, Department of Communication Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, , China (Hong Kong), Phone: 852

The aging of the population is an inexorable change that challenges governments and societies in every developed country. Based on clinical and empirical data, social isolation is found to be prevalent among elderly people, and it has negative consequences on the elderly’s psychological and physical health. Targeting social isolation has become a focus area for policy and practice. Evidence indicates that contemporary information and communication technologies (ICT) have the potential to prevent or reduce the social isolation of elderly people via various mechanisms.

MethodsSearching Strategy, Inclusion Criteria, and Study SelectionElectronic searches for this systematic review were conducted in July 2015 using PsycINFO, PubMed, MEDLINE, EBSCO, SSCI, Communication Studies: a SAGE Full-Text Collection, Communication & Mass Media Complete, Association for Computing Machinery Digital Library, and IEEE Xplore. These databases were used because they include research on subjects such as health, aging, social science, digital technologies, computer-mediated communication, and communication science. A unified search term using Boolean operators was applied for all databases: ((social isolation OR loneliness) AND elderly AND (Internet OR social media OR information and communication technology)). Next, to ensure a broad inclusion of published studies relevant to our review topic, we adopted the following criteria to select studies for the review: (1) publications must be in English; (2) studies must empirically investigate the effects of ICTs on one or more attributes of social isolation among the elderly; and (3) study participants must be aged 55 years or older.

Multimedia Appendix 1Characteristics of the selected studies.Click here to view.(247K, pdf)Go to:Multimedia Appendix 2Participant characteristics of the selected studies.Click here to view.(160K, pdf)Go to:FootnotesConflicts of Interest: Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

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NHL Plans Move to Small-Group Training, Reopening Practice Facilities as Phase 2 of Return <div class="inner-container"> <img src="https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/nhl-return-coronavirus.jpg" alt="Philadelphia Flyers left wing James van Riemsdyk (25) skates with the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals in Washington on March 4, 2020." title="Philadelphia Flyers left wing James van Riemsdyk (25) skates with the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals in Washington on March 4, 2020."> </div>

The league, which was forced to pause its season on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, released a 22-page memo detailing the plan Monday. The document stresses there’s no exact date for the start of Phase 2 or a timetable for how long it will last. Only six players will be allowed in team facilities at one time for the voluntary workouts, and no on-ice coaching or instruction is permitted. On-ice sessions will be non-contact and players will be expected to maintain physical distancing at all times. Players will be required to wear masks when entering and exiting facilities and when not able to physically distance, except for when they’re practicing/exercising.

(TORONTO) — The NHL is hoping to move to Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol, including the opening of practice facilities and allowing small group workouts, early next month.

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