Evidence
How we made the decision
How we made the decision
We check our guidelines regularly to ensure they remain up to date. We based the decision on surveillance 10 years after the publication of NICE's guideline on mental wellbeing in over 65s: occupational therapy and physical activity interventions (NICE guideline PH16) and 2 years after the publication of NICE's guideline on older people: independence and mental wellbeing (NICE guideline NG32) in 2018.
For details of the process and update decisions that are available, see ensuring that published guidelines are current and accurate in developing NICE guidelines: the manual.
Previous surveillance update decisions for NICE guideline PH16 are on our website. There have been no previous update decisions for NICE guideline NG32.
Evidence
We found 52 studies in a search for quantitative studies published between 1 January 2014 to 5 October 2017 reporting on the effectiveness of interventions for adults aged 65 years and over on mental health and wellbeing outcomes. Twenty-eight studies were relevant to NICE guideline PH16 and 27 were relevant to NICE guideline NG32 (3 studies were relevant to both guidelines).
We also considered evidence identified in previous surveillance of NICE guideline PH16. The first surveillance review in November 2011 concluded that no update was required. The second surveillance review in March 2015 also concluded that no update was required but did recommend an editorial refresh.
We checked for ongoing and recently published research from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and Cochrane and new policy developments. No recently published studies were identified, but 2 pieces of on-going research (on an occupational therapy intervention relevant to NICE guideline PH16; and a befriending initiative relevant to NICE guideline NG32) and 1 report on physical activity guidelines (relevant to NICE guideline PH16) was identified.
We reviewed studies highlighted by topic experts for any potential impact on the scope and remit of both guidelines, with 2 studies (also identified in the literature search) and 1 piece of on-going research (on an occupational therapy intervention) meeting inclusion criteria.
All relevant abstracts were assessed for their impact on the recommendations within NICE guidelines PH16 and NG32. See appendix A: summary of evidence from surveillance for details of all evidence considered, and references.
Views of topic experts
We considered the views of topic experts, including those who helped to develop the guideline.
For NICE guideline PH16, 3 experts responded, 2 explicitly stated that the guideline should be updated:
-
Areas for update related to new legislation and new systems, changes in guidance on recommended levels of physical activity, return on investment (ROI) evidence (no references provided) and the view that the guideline should focus on interventions beyond physical activity, focusing on other interventions that promote mental wellbeing. New legislation, systems and advice on recommended levels of physical activity will be addressed via an editorial refresh; interventions that are not based on physical activity are covered within NICE guideline NG32; and issues around ROI cannot be assessed for impact on the guideline as no evidence was provided in this area.
-
Other issues that were noted, had no supporting evidence provided but included highlighting the absence of any recommendations on assessment, referencing of online reliable information and use of apps to support physical activity.
Five experts responded to the request for views and evidence concerning the need to update NICE guideline NG32. Three thought the guideline did not need updating, 1 did not indicate any preference and 1 expert said it should be updated due to a recently published trial, this however was considered to be more relevant to NICE guideline PH16 as it was for an intervention based on recommendations within that guideline.
See appendix A for discussion of issues raised by topic experts.
Views of stakeholders
Stakeholders commented on the decision to partially update NICE guideline PH16 and not to update NICE guideline NG32.
Four stakeholders commented on the proposal to partially update NICE guideline PH16: all agreed with the decision. During stakeholder consultation, a stakeholder suggested that NICE guideline PH16 should address barriers to walking in the physical environment, however this is an area outside of the scope of the guideline, and it is addressed in physical activity and the environment (NICE guideline NG90), published in March 2018.
Eleven stakeholders commented on the proposal to not update NICE guideline NG32: 3 agreed with the decision; 8 disagreed with the decision; and 1 noted that they had no comments on the proposals.
Several stakeholders stated that recommendations should highlight the impact of hearing loss on older adults' wellbeing and identify measures that should be taken to address hearing loss when delivering interventions. NICE guideline NG32 ensures that the needs of older adults with varying conditions are taken into account, and recognises that hearing loss can have a major impact on the independence and mental wellbeing of older people. Recommendations on principles of good practice and identifying people most at risk highlight the importance of identifying and taking into account the needs of older people with an age-related disability, which has been defined in the glossary as 'any physical or mental impairment associated with ageing, such as a reduction in, or loss of vision, hearing, mobility or cognitive ability'. The implementation section also focuses on addressing the needs of people with hearing loss, making reference to planning for the needs of older people with a sensory impairment and providing help and advocacy for people who have difficulties seeing. The management of deafness and hearing loss is also being addressed in an in-development NICE guideline on hearing loss in adults: assessment and management.
Additionally, a stakeholder said that culturally appropriate, person-centred support for planning for end of life is severely lacking for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and black or minority ethnic communities. However, these areas are out of scope and beyond the Department of Health referral for the guideline; and there are a number of NICE guidelines that focus on end of life care in different populations.
See appendix B for NICE guideline PH16 and appendix B for NICE guideline NG32 for stakeholders' comments and our responses.
This page was last updated: