Loneliness became a major societal preoccupation during the pandemic, as lockdowns and social distancing propelled the issue into the spotlight. At the same time, numerous studies on the subject have established a link between social isolation and deteriorating mental health, which plays a role in increasing the risk of physical health problems and death.
A new study now reveals that social isolation could have a negative impact on bone health. It’s surprising research, to say the least, but it could ultimately lead to greater attention being paid to the bone health of isolated individuals, particularly the elderly.
The research was conducted by scientists at the MaineHealth Institute for Research in the US town of Scarborough in Maine.
“Previous clinical research has demonstrated that psychosocial stressors, and subsequent mental health disorders, are major risk factors for osteoporosis and fracture, which disproportionately affect older adults,” said lead researcher Rebecca Mountain. “The effects of social isolation on bone, however, have not been thoroughly investigated.”
She pointed out that loneliness was already associated with an increased risk of health problems of all kinds, as well as higher death rates.
Of note is that this new research was not conducted with human participants but with adult mice, thus necessitating further study. The scientists divided the rodents into two categories: those subjected to social isolation, meaning one adult mouse per cage, and those cohabiting in a group – four mice per cage – for a period of four weeks.
At the end of their work, the researchers observed a significant drop in bone quality, and in particular a reduction in bone mineral density, in male mice who had been in isolated conditions.
Bone mineral density corresponds to the quantity of calcium and other minerals contained in bone tissue, and thus helps determine bone strength and resistance.
“Overall, our data suggest that social isolation has a dramatic negative effect on bone in male mice, but it may operate through different mechanisms or in a different time frame in female mice.
“Future research is needed to understand how these findings translate to human populations,” Mountain added.
Further work will also help to understand and determine the mechanisms by which this impact can occur – in other words, how and why loneliness can be detrimental to bone health.
Such research is important at a time when all the health effects of Covid-related social isolation are not yet known, bearing in mind that the pandemic is not solely responsible for the loneliness suffered by populations worldwide.
“Social isolation is a potent form of psychosocial stress and is a growing public health concern, particularly among older adults,” the study’s lead author warned.
“Even prior to the onset of the pandemic, which has significantly increased the prevalence of isolation and loneliness, researchers have been concerned about a rising ‘epidemic of loneliness’.”