Mental DiseaseEAT-HOPENCT07453355
EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY FOR HOPE IN PEOPLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA
A study testing Expressive Arts Therapy in people with Mental Disease and şizofreni, run by Ondokuz Mayıs University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an expressive arts therapy programme based on positive psychotherapy principles in strengthening hope among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Mental Disease, şizofreni
- What is being tested?
- Expressive Arts Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 22 Jul 2025to 13 Jan 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosis of schizophrenia according to clinical evaluation
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Hospitalized in a psychiatric inpatient unit
- At least six months since diagnosis
- Ability to read and understand assessment tools
- Clinically stable without acute psychotic symptoms
- Provided written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Severe cognitive impairment
- Acute psychotic symptoms requiring intensive treatment
- Severe physical illness preventing participation
- Refusal to participate or withdrawal of consent
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
samsun Mental Health Hospital
Atakent, Samsun, 55200
About this study
Official title: The Role of Expressive Arts Therapy in Strengthening Hope in Individuals With Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial (EAT-HOPE)
This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an expressive arts therapy programme based on positive psychotherapy principles in strengthening hope among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Hope is a central component of recovery in schizophrenia, yet structured nursing interventions specifically targeting hope remain limited.
The study was conducted with 50 inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia at a mental health hospital in Türkiye. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participated in an eight-session expressive arts therapy programme delivered in small groups, while the control group received standard psychiatric care.
Read more
Hope levels were assessed before and after the intervention using the Herth Hope Scale. The findings demonstrated that participants who received expressive arts therapy showed significant improvements in overall hope and its key dimensions, including future orientation, positive readiness and expectancy, and connectedness, compared with those receiving standard care.
This study suggests that expressive arts therapy may be an effective recovery-oriented nursing intervention to strengthen hope and support psychological recovery in individuals with schizophrenia.
Read the detailed description
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder that significantly affects individuals' functioning, quality of life, and recovery processes. Hope has been identified as a central component of recovery in individuals with schizophrenia, as it supports coping, motivation, and engagement with treatment. However, structured psychosocial and nursing interventions specifically targeting hope remain limited.
Expressive arts therapy is a therapeutic approach that integrates creative expression processes such as drawing, collage, storytelling, and metaphor work to facilitate emotional expression, self-awareness, and psychological healing. Within psychiatric nursing, expressive arts therapy may offer a recovery-oriented approach that helps individuals express their experiences, reconstruct meaning, and strengthen hope.
This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an expressive arts therapy programme based on positive psychotherapy principles in strengthening hope among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. The study was conducted with 50 inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia in a mental health hospital in Türkiye. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group using a computer-generated randomization list prepared by an independent statistician.
Participants in the intervention group received an eight-session expressive arts therapy programme delivered face-to-face in small groups in addition to standard psychiatric care. Each session included psychoeducation, creative expression activities (such as drawing, collage, storytelling, and metaphor work), and group sharing processes aimed at strengthening emotional expression and hope. The control group received standard psychiatric inpatient care only.
Hope levels were assessed before and after the intervention using the Herth Hope Scale. The primary outcome of the study was the change in hope level measured by the Herth Hope Scale total score. Secondary outcomes included changes in the scale's subdimensions, including future orientation, positive readiness and expectancy, and interconnectedness.
The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of recovery-oriented psychosocial nursing interventions for individuals with schizophrenia and to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of expressive arts therapy in strengthening hope.
- Conditions
- Mental Disease, şizofreni
- Being tested
- Expressive Arts Therapy
- Keywords
- Expressive Arts Therapy, Art Therapy, Hope, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychosocial Intervention, Randomized Controlled Trial, Positive Psychotherapy
- Medical subject headings
- Mental Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Expressive Arts TherapyBehavioural
Intervention Description (Kopyalayın)
An expressive arts therapy programme based on positive psychotherapy principles was delivered in small groups. The programme consisted of eight structured sessions conducted face-to-face. Each session included psychoeducation, creative expression activities such as drawing, collage, storytelling, and metaphor work, and group sharing. The intervention aimed to strengthen hope, enhance emotional expression, and support psychological recovery in individuals with schizophrenia.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Expressive Arts Therapy Group | Experimental | Participants in this arm received an expressive arts therapy programme based on positive psychotherapy principles in addition to standard psychiatric care. The programme consisted of eight structured group sessions delivered face-to-face in small groups. Each session included psychoeducation, creative expression activities such as drawing, collage, and metaphor work, and group sharing. The intervention aimed to strengthen hope and support psychological recovery. Receives: Behavioral: Expressive Arts Therapy |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants in this arm received standard psychiatric inpatient care only. Standard care included routine pharmacological treatment, clinical monitoring, and nursing care. No additional psychosocial or expressive arts therapy intervention was provided during the study period. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Hope Level Measured by the Herth Hope Scale
Hope level will be assessed using the Herth Hope Scale (HHS), a validated 12-item self-report instrument with scores ranging from 12 to 48. Higher scores indicate higher levels of hope.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention (4 weeks)
Herth Hope Scale
Changes in Herth Hope Scale subscale scores (future orientation, positive readiness and expectancy, and interconnectedness) will be evaluated.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 8-session intervention (approximately 4 weeks)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change in Herth Hope Scale Subscale Scores
Changes in the subscale scores of the Herth Hope Scale, including future orientation, positive readiness and expectancy, and interconnectedness, will be evaluated.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Mar 2026
- Study start22 Jul 2025
- Primary completion30 Oct 2025
- Study completion13 Jan 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Mental DiseaseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Ondokuz Mayıs UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the expressive arts therapy intervention group or the control group using a computer-generated randomization list prepared by an independent statistician. The intervention group received an eight-session expressive arts therapy programme delivered in small groups, in addition to standard psychiatric care. The control group received standard psychiatric care only. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention. The study followed a parallel-group design, and the data analyst was blinded to group allocation.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ondokuz Mayıs University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, serap güleç keskin, Ondokuz Mayıs University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07453355
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- OMU-SCH-EAT-RCT-2025
- Other IDs
- OMU-ETHICS-2024-1305
- Acronym
- EAT-HOPE
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 10 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be publicly shared due to privacy and confidentiality considerations involving a vulnerable psychiatric population. De-identified data may be made available from the principal investigator upon reasonable request and with appropriate ethical approval.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Role of Expressive Arts Therapy in Strengthening Hope in Individuals With Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial (EAT-HOPE)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07453355
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- EAT-HOPE / OMU-SCH-EAT-RCT-2025
- Conditions
- Mental Disease, şizofreni
- Keywords
- Expressive Arts Therapy, Art Therapy, Hope, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychosocial Intervention, Randomized Controlled Trial, Positive Psychotherapy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ondokuz Mayıs UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 22 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 13 Jan 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 6 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an expressive arts therapy programme based on positive psychotherapy principles in strengthening hope among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Hope is a central component of recovery in schizophrenia, yet structured nursing interventions specifically targeting hope remain limited.
The study was conducted with 50 inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia at a mental health hospital in Türkiye. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participated in an eight-session expressive arts therapy programme delivered in small groups, while the control group received standard psychiatric care.
Hope levels were assessed before and after the intervention using the Herth Hope Scale. The findings demonstrated that participants who received expressive arts therapy showed significant improvements in overall hope and its key dimensions, including future orientation, positive readiness and expectancy, and connectedness, compared with those receiving standard care.
This study suggests that expressive arts therapy may be an effective recovery-oriented nursing intervention to strengthen hope and support psychological recovery in individuals with schizophrenia.
Detailed description
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder that significantly affects individuals' functioning, quality of life, and recovery processes. Hope has been identified as a central component of recovery in individuals with schizophrenia, as it supports coping, motivation, and engagement with treatment. However, structured psychosocial and nursing interventions specifically targeting hope remain limited.
Expressive arts therapy is a therapeutic approach that integrates creative expression processes such as drawing, collage, storytelling, and metaphor work to facilitate emotional expression, self-awareness, and psychological healing. Within psychiatric nursing, expressive arts therapy may offer a recovery-oriented approach that helps individuals express their experiences, reconstruct meaning, and strengthen hope.
This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an expressive arts therapy programme based on positive psychotherapy principles in strengthening hope among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. The study was conducted with 50 inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia in a mental health hospital in Türkiye. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group using a computer-generated randomization list prepared by an independent statistician.
Participants in the intervention group received an eight-session expressive arts therapy programme delivered face-to-face in small groups in addition to standard psychiatric care. Each session included psychoeducation, creative expression activities (such as drawing, collage, storytelling, and metaphor work), and group sharing processes aimed at strengthening emotional expression and hope. The control group received standard psychiatric inpatient care only.
Hope levels were assessed before and after the intervention using the Herth Hope Scale. The primary outcome of the study was the change in hope level measured by the Herth Hope Scale total score. Secondary outcomes included changes in the scale's subdimensions, including future orientation, positive readiness and expectancy, and interconnectedness.
The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of recovery-oriented psychosocial nursing interventions for individuals with schizophrenia and to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of expressive arts therapy in strengthening hope.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the expressive arts therapy intervention group or the control group using a computer-generated randomization list prepared by an independent statistician. The intervention group received an eight-session expressive arts therapy programme delivered in small groups, in addition to standard psychiatric care. The control group received standard psychiatric care only. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention. The study followed a parallel-group design, and the data analyst was blinded to group allocation.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Expressive Arts Therapy Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Expressive Arts TherapyParticipants in this arm received an expressive arts therapy programme based on positive psychotherapy principles in addition to standard psychiatric care. The programme consisted of eight structured group sessions delivered face-to-face in small groups. Each session included psychoeducation, creative expression activities such as drawing, collage, and metaphor work, and group sharing. The intervention aimed to strengthen hope and support psychological recovery. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants in this arm received standard psychiatric inpatient care only. Standard care included routine pharmacological treatment, clinical monitoring, and nursing care. No additional psychosocial or expressive arts therapy intervention was provided during the study period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Diagnosis of schizophrenia according to clinical evaluation
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Hospitalized in a psychiatric inpatient unit
- At least six months since diagnosis
- Ability to read and understand assessment tools
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Severe cognitive impairment
- Acute psychotic symptoms requiring intensive treatment
- Severe physical illness preventing participation
- Refusal to participate or withdrawal of consent
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Expressive Arts TherapyIntervention Description (Kopyalayın) An expressive arts therapy programme based on positive psychotherapy principles was delivered in small groups. The programme consisted of eight structured sessions conducted face-to-face. Each session included psychoeducation, creative expression activities such as drawing, collage, storytelling, and metaphor work, and group sharing. The intervention aimed to strengthen hope, enhance emotional expression, and support psychological recovery in individuals with schizophrenia. | Behavioural | Expressive Arts Therapy Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Hope Level Measured by the Herth Hope Scale
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention (4 weeks)
Hope level will be assessed using the Herth Hope Scale (HHS), a validated 12-item self-report instrument with scores ranging from 12 to 48. Higher scores indicate higher levels of hope.
Herth Hope Scale
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 8-session intervention (approximately 4 weeks)
Changes in Herth Hope Scale subscale scores (future orientation, positive readiness and expectancy, and interconnectedness) will be evaluated.
1 secondary outcome
Change in Herth Hope Scale Subscale Scores
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be publicly shared due to privacy and confidentiality considerations involving a vulnerable psychiatric population. De-identified data may be made available from the principal investigator upon reasonable request and with appropriate ethical approval.
Related trials for Mental Disease
Not yet recruiting
Effect of Stress Ball Use During Femoral Arterial Sheath Removal After Coronary Angiography
Femoral Arterial Sheath Removal, Stress Ball
RecruitingPhase 2
Neuroplasticity Enhancement From Cognitive Training Reinforced by Psilocybin
Alzheimer's Disease
Enrolling by invitationPhase 3
An Open-Label Study to Assess the Long-Term Safety of Solriamfetol in Children and Adolescents With ADHD
ADHD
Recruiting
Unified Protocol in Penitentiary Facilities
Depression Disorders, Anxiety
Recruiting
Safety and Performance of UCon Patch Electrode
Urinary Incontinence, Urinary Incontinence, Urge
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Expressive Arts Therapy in people with Mental Disease and şizofreni, run by Ondokuz Mayıs University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Hope Level Measured by the Herth Hope Scale (time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention (4 weeks)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Mar 2026.