Mental DisorderAgingUpNCT07690098
AgingUP: A Pilot Program to Reduce Self-Ageism and Self-Stigma in Older Adults With Severe Mental Illness
A study testing AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program) in people with Mental Disorder, run by Universidad Pontificia Comillas at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn whether AgingUP, a 10-session psychosocial program, helps reduce self-ageism and self-stigma and fosters more positive and realistic views of aging in older adults (≥50 years) living with severe mental illness. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 50 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Mental Disorder
- What is being tested?
- AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program)
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 19 Oct 2025to 17 Dec 2025
- 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 50 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age: ≥ 50 years (preventive/therapeutic focus on early and late aging in Severe Mental Illness).
- Diagnosis: Having a clinical diagnosis of Severe Mental Illness (SMI) such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychotic spectrum disorders, or severe affective disorders.
- Active Treatment: Currently receiving psychiatric or psychosocial treatment in a mental health center, rehabilitation unit, or community service.
- Legal Status: Not having a court-appointed legal representative. Voluntariness: Participation must be completely voluntary, without coercion or obligation.
- Language and Communication: Able to communicate in the language used for the study/intervention (e.g., Spanish).
- Availability: Willing to attend the scheduled sessions and activities according to the study/intervention design.
Who cannot join
- Severe Cognitive Impairment: Presence of advanced dementia or severe neurodegenerative disease that limits understanding or informed consent.
- Active Psychiatric Crisis: Experiencing an acute psychotic episode, manic crisis, or severe depression with high suicide risk at the time of assessment.
- Severe Medical Conditions: Having medical illnesses that prevent participation in study activities.
- Concurrent Study Participation: Participation in another ongoing study that may interfere with the objectives of this intervention.
- Legal Incapacity: Having a legal incapacity that prevents free and voluntary participation.
- Severe Cognitive Difficulties: Difficulties that significantly impair understanding of information or participation in group or digital activities.
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- Language Barrier: Inability to understand the language in which the intervention is conducted, limiting comprehension of study content.
- Informed Consent: Failure to sign the informed consent form or expressing significant doubts about voluntary participation.
- Lack of Availability: Unwillingness or inability to attend the sessions according to the structure and duration of the study.
- Concurrent Participation: Participation in another study that could interfere with the goals of this intervention.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: AgingUP: A Pilot Psychosocial Program to Reduce Self-Ageism and Self-Stigma and Foster Positive and Realistic Views of Aging in Older Adults With Severe Mental Illness
The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn whether AgingUP, a 10-session psychosocial program, helps reduce self-ageism and self-stigma and fosters more positive and realistic views of aging in older adults (≥50 years) living with severe mental illness.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Read more
- Does participation in AgingUP reduce self-directed ageism compared to usual care?
- Does it reduce internalized stigma related to mental illness?
- Does it increase self-compassion?
- Does it improve their perception of their own aging? Researchers will compare the AgingUP group with a control group receiving treatment as usual to see if participants in AgingUP show more adaptive perceptions of aging and self-concept.
Participants will:
- Attend 10 weekly group sessions (60-75 min each) focused on cognitive-behavioral techniques, acceptance and commitment strategies, self-compassion exercises, and empowerment (as a transversal element).
- Complete brief questionnaires about their experiences and attitudes before and after the program.
Read the detailed description
This research aims to generate preliminary evidence on the feasibility and potential effectiveness of AgingUP, a 10-session psychosocial program designed to reduce self-ageism and self-stigma and to foster more positive and realistic views of aging among older adults with severe mental illness (SMI). The program integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), self-compassion training, positive narrative work, and social support.
The intervention is structured to progressively build cognitive, emotional, and social skills. The initial sessions provide psychoeducation and cognitive restructuring to help participants identify and challenge negative thoughts related to aging and mental illness. Mid-program sessions introduce values clarification and committed action from ACT, encouraging participants to act in alignment with personally meaningful goals. Later sessions focus on cultivating self-compassion and reconstructing positive life narratives that counter internalized stereotypes. The program concludes with a session on social connection and maintenance strategies.
AgingUP is implemented in group format within residential settings and compared to a control group receiving treatment as usual. Participants complete assessments at baseline and immediately after the 10-week intervention. The study will examine changes in self-directed ageism, self-stigma, self-compassion, symptoms, recovery and perception of successful aging.
The 3- and 6-month follow-up assessments described in the original protocol were not conducted.
- Conditions
- Mental Disorder
- Being tested
- AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program)
- Keywords
- Psychosocial intervention, Mental Disorder, Older adults
- Medical subject headings
- Mental Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program)Behavioural
AgingUP is a 10-session psychosocial group intervention combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), self-compassion training, and positive narrative work. Sessions focus on identifying and changing negative beliefs about aging and mental illness and on promoting more positive and realistic views of aging. It is delivered in addition to the treatment as usual provided at the participants' center.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program) | Experimental | Participants receive the AgingUP program, a 10-session psychosocial group intervention combining CBT, ACT, self-compassion training, and positive narrative work, in addition to the treatment as usual provided at their center. Receives: Behavioral: AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program) |
| Waiting list | Experimental | Participants continue with the treatment as usual provided at their center during the 10-week control period and are offered the AgingUP program afterward. Receives: Behavioral: AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
WHO Self-Directed Ageism Scale (15-item)
The scale evaluates self-directed ageism, defined as internalized stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination related to one's own age. It includes 15 items rated on a 6-point Likert-type scale (from strongly disagree to strongly agree). Higher scores indicate higher levels of self-ageism.
Measured: Baseline, Week 10 (end of intervention)
Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI-29)
The ISMI-29 evaluates self-stigma associated with mental illness. It comprises 29 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (from strongly disagree to strongly agree). The scale assesses five domains: alienation, stereotype endorsement, discrimination experience, social withdrawal, and resistance to stigma. Higher scores indicate greater internalized stigma.
Measured: Baseline, Week 10 (end of intervention)
Secondary outcomes (2)
Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-12)
The scale evaluates self-compassion, defined as a kind, understanding, and mindful attitude toward oneself in times of suffering. It includes 12 items rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale (from almost never to almost always). Higher scores indicate greater self-compassion.
Measured: Baseline, Week 10 (end of intervention)
Perception of Aging
This measure assesses participants' subjective perception of aging through three items: (1) a 10-point scale of perceived successful aging, (2) a 5-point Likert item ("I am aging well"), and (3) self-reported perceived physical and mental age. Higher ratings indicate more positive perceptions of aging.
Measured: Baseline and Week 10 (end of intervention)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Jul 2026
- Study start19 Oct 2025
- Primary completion17 Dec 2025
- Study completion17 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Mental DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- AgingUP is a 10-session psychosocial group intervention for older adults (≥50 years) with Severe Mental Illness (SMI), designed to reduce self-ageism and self-stigma and to promote positive and realistic views of aging. It integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, self-compassion training, and positive narrative work, and is delivered alongside the treatment as usual provided at participants' centers. The control group continues with treatment as usual and is offered AgingUP afterward (waiting list). Assessments are conducted at baseline (E1) and immediately after the 10-week program (E2), covering self-directed ageism, self-stigma, self-compassion, recovery, perceptions of aging, and general symptomatology. This pilot will provide preliminary evidence on feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Pontificia Comillas
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Macarena Sánchez-Izquierdo Alonso, Universidad Pontificia Comillas
- Investigators
- Macarena Sánchez-Izquierdo, PhD, Principal investigator, Universidad Pontificia Comillas
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07690098
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PHS-2024/PH-HUM-169
- Acronym
- AgingUp
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 28 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- AgingUP: A Pilot Psychosocial Program to Reduce Self-Ageism and Self-Stigma and Foster Positive and Realistic Views of Aging in Older Adults With Severe Mental Illness
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07690098
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AgingUp / PHS-2024/PH-HUM-169
- Conditions
- Mental Disorder
- Keywords
- Psychosocial intervention, Mental Disorder, Older adults
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Pontificia ComillasUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 19 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 17 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 17 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 8 Jul 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.
The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn whether AgingUP, a 10-session psychosocial program, helps reduce self-ageism and self-stigma and fosters more positive and realistic views of aging in older adults (≥50 years) living with severe mental illness.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does participation in AgingUP reduce self-directed ageism compared to usual care?
- Does it reduce internalized stigma related to mental illness?
- Does it increase self-compassion?
- Does it improve their perception of their own aging? Researchers will compare the AgingUP group with a control group receiving treatment as usual to see if participants in AgingUP show more adaptive perceptions of aging and self-concept.
Participants will:
- Attend 10 weekly group sessions (60-75 min each) focused on cognitive-behavioral techniques, acceptance and commitment strategies, self-compassion exercises, and empowerment (as a transversal element).
- Complete brief questionnaires about their experiences and attitudes before and after the program.
Detailed description
This research aims to generate preliminary evidence on the feasibility and potential effectiveness of AgingUP, a 10-session psychosocial program designed to reduce self-ageism and self-stigma and to foster more positive and realistic views of aging among older adults with severe mental illness (SMI). The program integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), self-compassion training, positive narrative work, and social support.
The intervention is structured to progressively build cognitive, emotional, and social skills. The initial sessions provide psychoeducation and cognitive restructuring to help participants identify and challenge negative thoughts related to aging and mental illness. Mid-program sessions introduce values clarification and committed action from ACT, encouraging participants to act in alignment with personally meaningful goals. Later sessions focus on cultivating self-compassion and reconstructing positive life narratives that counter internalized stereotypes. The program concludes with a session on social connection and maintenance strategies.
AgingUP is implemented in group format within residential settings and compared to a control group receiving treatment as usual. Participants complete assessments at baseline and immediately after the 10-week intervention. The study will examine changes in self-directed ageism, self-stigma, self-compassion, symptoms, recovery and perception of successful aging.
The 3- and 6-month follow-up assessments described in the original protocol were not conducted.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- AgingUP is a 10-session psychosocial group intervention for older adults (≥50 years) with Severe Mental Illness (SMI), designed to reduce self-ageism and self-stigma and to promote positive and realistic views of aging. It integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, self-compassion training, and positive narrative work, and is delivered alongside the treatment as usual provided at participants' centers. The control group continues with treatment as usual and is offered AgingUP afterward (waiting list). Assessments are conducted at baseline (E1) and immediately after the 10-week program (E2), covering self-directed ageism, self-stigma, self-compassion, recovery, perceptions of aging, and general symptomatology. This pilot will provide preliminary evidence on feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program) | Experimental | Behavioral: AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program)Participants receive the AgingUP program, a 10-session psychosocial group intervention combining CBT, ACT, self-compassion training, and positive narrative work, in addition to the treatment as usual provided at their center. |
| Waiting list | Experimental | Behavioral: AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program)Participants continue with the treatment as usual provided at their center during the 10-week control period and are offered the AgingUP program afterward. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 50 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Age: ≥ 50 years (preventive/therapeutic focus on early and late aging in Severe Mental Illness).
- Diagnosis: Having a clinical diagnosis of Severe Mental Illness (SMI) such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychotic spectrum disorders, or severe affective disorders.
- Active Treatment: Currently receiving psychiatric or psychosocial treatment in a mental health center, rehabilitation unit, or community service.
- Legal Status: Not having a court-appointed legal representative. Voluntariness: Participation must be completely voluntary, without coercion or obligation.
- Language and Communication: Able to communicate in the language used for the study/intervention (e.g., Spanish).
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Severe Cognitive Impairment: Presence of advanced dementia or severe neurodegenerative disease that limits understanding or informed consent.
- Active Psychiatric Crisis: Experiencing an acute psychotic episode, manic crisis, or severe depression with high suicide risk at the time of assessment.
- Severe Medical Conditions: Having medical illnesses that prevent participation in study activities.
- Concurrent Study Participation: Participation in another ongoing study that may interfere with the objectives of this intervention.
- Legal Incapacity: Having a legal incapacity that prevents free and voluntary participation.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program)AgingUP is a 10-session psychosocial group intervention combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), self-compassion training, and positive narrative work. Sessions focus on identifying and changing negative beliefs about aging and mental illness and on promoting more positive and realistic views of aging. It is delivered in addition to the treatment as usual provided at the participants' center. | Behavioural | AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program), Waiting list |
Primary outcome
WHO Self-Directed Ageism Scale (15-item)
Time frame: Baseline, Week 10 (end of intervention)
The scale evaluates self-directed ageism, defined as internalized stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination related to one's own age. It includes 15 items rated on a 6-point Likert-type scale (from strongly disagree to strongly agree). Higher scores indicate higher levels of self-ageism.
Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI-29)
Time frame: Baseline, Week 10 (end of intervention)
The ISMI-29 evaluates self-stigma associated with mental illness. It comprises 29 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (from strongly disagree to strongly agree). The scale assesses five domains: alienation, stereotype endorsement, discrimination experience, social withdrawal, and resistance to stigma. Higher scores indicate greater internalized stigma.
2 secondary outcomes
Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-12)
Time frame: Baseline, Week 10 (end of intervention)
Perception of Aging
Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (end of 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 28 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Macarena Sánchez-Izquierdo, PhD principal investigator
Universidad Pontificia Comillas
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program) in people with Mental Disorder, run by Universidad Pontificia Comillas at 1 site in Spain.
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 6 inclusion and 10 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 28 Aug 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 Spain. 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?
WHO Self-Directed Ageism Scale (15-item) (time frame: Baseline, Week 10 (end of intervention)). 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 28 Aug 2026.