Death AnxietyExpressive ArtNCT07462936
Effect of Expressive Arts Therapy on Death Anxiety in Intensive Care Unit Nurses
A study testing Expressive Arts Therapy in people with Death Anxiety and Occupational Stress, run by Ondokuz Mayıs University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of expressive arts therapy on death anxiety among intensive care unit nurses. A total of 66 nurses were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Death Anxiety, Occupational Stress, Psychological Distress
- 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
- 66 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2024to 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 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Registered nurses working in intensive care units At least 1 year of experience in an intensive care setting Having previously encountered patient death in clinical practice Willingness to participate in the study
- Providing written informed Exclusion Criteria:
- Currently receiving psychological or psychiatric treatment for severe mental health problems Participation in similar psychological or psychosocial intervention programs during the study period
Who cannot join
None listed.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Samsun Training and Research Hospital
Atakent, Samsun, 55200
About this study
This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of expressive arts therapy on death anxiety among intensive care unit nurses. A total of 66 nurses were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participated in a structured expressive arts therapy programme consisting of weekly sessions for six weeks, while the control group received no intervention during the study period. Death anxiety levels were assessed using the Death Anxiety Scale before and after the intervention. The study aimed to determine whether expressive arts therapy is effective in reducing death anxiety and improving psychological well-being among intensive care unit nurses.
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured expressive arts therapy program in reducing death anxiety among intensive care unit nurses. Participants were randomly assigned to either an expressive arts therapy intervention group or a control group. The intervention consisted of six weekly sessions incorporating creative techniques such as drawing, clay work, and collage to facilitate emotional expression and reflection on experiences related to death and patient care. Death anxiety levels were assessed at baseline and immediately after the intervention using the Death Anxiety Scale. The study aimed to determine whether expressive arts therapy could reduce death anxiety and improve psychological well-being among intensive care nurses exposed to frequent patient mortality.
- Conditions
- Death Anxiety, Occupational Stress, Psychological Distress
- Being tested
- Expressive Arts Therapy
- Keywords
- Expressive Arts Therapy, Death Anxiety, Intensive Care Unit Nurses, ICU Nurses, Randomized Controlled Trial, Psychological Intervention, Mental Health, Occupational Stress
- Medical subject headings
- Necrophobia, Occupational Stress, Psychological Well-Being
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Expressive Arts TherapyBehavioural
Expressive arts therapy was delivered as a structured group intervention consisting of six weekly sessions including drawing, clay work, and collage.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Expressive Arts Therapy Group | Experimental | This group participated in a structured expressive arts therapy programme consisting of weekly sessions for six weeks. Each session included creative activities such as drawing, clay work, and collage to facilitate emotional expression and processing of death-related experiences. Receives: Behavioral: Expressive Arts Therapy |
| Control Group | No intervention | No Intervention |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Death Anxiety Scale Total Score
Death anxiety was assessed using the Death Anxiety Scale (DAS; Sarıkaya \& Baloğlu, 2016), a validated self-report instrument consisting of 20 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1-5).
Total scores range from 20 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater levels of death anxiety.
Measured: Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention)
Secondary outcomes (2)
Change in "Uncertainty About Death" Subscale Score
The Uncertainty About Death subscale of the Death Anxiety Scale evaluates ambiguity and fear related to the unknown aspects of death.
Subscale scores are derived from relevant items within the DAS, with higher scores indicating greater uncertainty and anxiety regarding death.
Measured: Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention)
Change in "Thoughts About Death and Witnessing Death" Subscale Score
This subscale measures cognitive and emotional responses related to thinking about death and exposure to dying individuals.
Higher scores indicate more frequent and distressing death-related thoughts and experiences.
Measured: Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Mar 2026
- Study start1 Mar 2024
- Primary completion1 Jul 2024
- 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 Death AnxietyStudies 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
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This study was conducted as a single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the expressive arts therapy intervention group or the control group. The intervention group participated in a structured expressive arts therapy programme consisting of weekly sessions over six weeks, while the control group received no intervention during the study period. Outcome assessments were conducted at baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention. The outcome assessor was blinded to group allocation. The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of expressive arts therapy versus no intervention in reducing death anxiety among intensive care unit nurses.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 66 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
- NCT07462936
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- OMU-BAP04-A-2024-5002-RCT
- Other IDs
- BAP04-A-2024-5002
- Acronym
- Expressive Art
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 30 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared due to ethical and confidentiality considerations. The dataset contains sensitive information collected from healthcare professionals, and sharing individual-level data was not included in the original informed consent or ethics approval. Only aggregated data are available within the published results.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Expressive Arts Therapy on Death Anxiety in Intensive Care Unit Nurses
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07462936
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Expressive Art / OMU-BAP04-A-2024-5002-RCT
- Conditions
- Death Anxiety, Occupational Stress, Psychological Distress
- Keywords
- Expressive Arts Therapy, Death Anxiety, Intensive Care Unit Nurses, ICU Nurses, Randomized Controlled Trial, Psychological Intervention, Mental Health, Occupational Stress
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 66 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ondokuz Mayıs UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jul 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 13 Jan 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 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 effect of expressive arts therapy on death anxiety among intensive care unit nurses. A total of 66 nurses were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participated in a structured expressive arts therapy programme consisting of weekly sessions for six weeks, while the control group received no intervention during the study period. Death anxiety levels were assessed using the Death Anxiety Scale before and after the intervention. The study aimed to determine whether expressive arts therapy is effective in reducing death anxiety and improving psychological well-being among intensive care unit nurses.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured expressive arts therapy program in reducing death anxiety among intensive care unit nurses. Participants were randomly assigned to either an expressive arts therapy intervention group or a control group. The intervention consisted of six weekly sessions incorporating creative techniques such as drawing, clay work, and collage to facilitate emotional expression and reflection on experiences related to death and patient care. Death anxiety levels were assessed at baseline and immediately after the intervention using the Death Anxiety Scale. The study aimed to determine whether expressive arts therapy could reduce death anxiety and improve psychological well-being among intensive care nurses exposed to frequent patient mortality.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This study was conducted as a single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the expressive arts therapy intervention group or the control group. The intervention group participated in a structured expressive arts therapy programme consisting of weekly sessions over six weeks, while the control group received no intervention during the study period. Outcome assessments were conducted at baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention. The outcome assessor was blinded to group allocation. The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of expressive arts therapy versus no intervention in reducing death anxiety among intensive care unit nurses.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Expressive Arts Therapy Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Expressive Arts TherapyThis group participated in a structured expressive arts therapy programme consisting of weekly sessions for six weeks. Each session included creative activities such as drawing, clay work, and collage to facilitate emotional expression and processing of death-related experiences. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –No Intervention |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Registered nurses working in intensive care units At least 1 year of experience in an intensive care setting Having previously encountered patient death in clinical practice Willingness to participate in the study
- Currently receiving psychological or psychiatric treatment for severe mental health problems Participation in similar psychological or psychosocial intervention programs during the study period
Key exclusion criteria (0 listed)
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 TherapyExpressive arts therapy was delivered as a structured group intervention consisting of six weekly sessions including drawing, clay work, and collage. | Behavioural | Expressive Arts Therapy Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Death Anxiety Scale Total Score
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention)
Death anxiety was assessed using the Death Anxiety Scale (DAS; Sarıkaya \& Baloğlu, 2016), a validated self-report instrument consisting of 20 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1-5). Total scores range from 20 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater levels of death anxiety.
2 secondary outcomes
Change in "Uncertainty About Death" Subscale Score
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention)
Change in "Thoughts About Death and Witnessing Death" Subscale Score
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6 (post-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 30 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared due to ethical and confidentiality considerations. The dataset contains sensitive information collected from healthcare professionals, and sharing individual-level data was not included in the original informed consent or ethics approval. Only aggregated data are available within the published results.
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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 Death Anxiety and Occupational Stress, 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 3 inclusion and 0 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 30 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 Death Anxiety Scale Total Score (time frame: Baseline and Week 6 (post-intervention)). 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 30 Mar 2026.