Active Aging Individuals Aged 60 and OverNCT07740005
Existential and Solution-Focused Group Intervention for Older Adults
A study testing Existential and Solution-Focused Group Intervention in people with Active Aging Individuals Aged 60 and Over and Existential Distress, run by Sinop University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated existential and solution-focused group intervention enriched with narrative therapy techniques in promoting active aging among older adults. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Active Aging Individuals Aged 60 and Over, Existential Distress
- What is being tested?
- Existential and Solution-Focused Group Intervention
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 26 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 5 May 2025to 1 Oct 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 65 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged 65 years or older. Registered at the mental health unit of the participating primary healthcare center.
- Able to communicate effectively and participate in group sessions. Sufficient cognitive functioning to complete interviews and study assessments. Willing to participate voluntarily and provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Presence of severe psychiatric disorders that could interfere with participation in the group intervention.
- Presence of neurological disorders associated with significant cognitive impairment.
- Severe physical health problems preventing attendance at group sessions. Inability or unwillingness to complete the intervention or study assessments.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: From Psychosocial Limitations to Active Aging: An Embedded Mixed Methods Evaluation of an Existential and Solution Focused Group Intervention for Older Adults
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated existential and solution-focused group intervention enriched with narrative therapy techniques in promoting active aging among older adults. The intervention was developed to address psychosocial limitations associated with aging, including social isolation, role loss, ageism, and existential concerns.
The study employed an embedded mixed-methods randomized controlled design. Older adults aged 65 years and over who attended a primary healthcare mental health unit in a city, Türkiye, were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group received a structured 10-session group program combining existential therapy, solution-focused approaches, and narrative therapy techniques. Quantitative data were collected using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Old Module (WHOQOL-OLD) and the Active Aging Scale (AAS) at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. Qualitative data were obtained through session transcripts and field notes to explore participants' experiences and the intervention process.
Read the detailed description
This study evaluates the effectiveness of an integrated psychosocial group intervention designed to promote active aging among older adults. The intervention combines existential therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and narrative therapy techniques to address psychosocial challenges commonly associated with later life, including social isolation, role loss, loneliness, ageism, grief, and existential concerns. The intervention was developed to strengthen participants' psychological resources, enhance meaning in life, support adaptive coping, and encourage active participation in daily and social life.
The intervention is based on the complementary strengths of existential and solution-focused approaches. The existential component encourages participants to acknowledge and accept aging-related experiences, including loss, physical limitations, and mortality, while exploring personal meaning and responsibility. The solution-focused component emphasizes personal strengths, future-oriented goals, successful past experiences, and practical solutions through techniques such as the miracle question, scaling questions, identifying exceptions, and recognizing existing resources. Narrative therapy techniques are integrated throughout the program to facilitate the reconstruction of personal life stories and reinforce identity continuity.
The study employs an embedded mixed-methods randomized controlled design. Participants aged 65 years and older attending a primary healthcare mental health unit are randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participates in a structured closed-group program consisting of ten weekly sessions, each lasting approximately 90 minutes, while the control group receives usual care during the study period. Quantitative and qualitative data are collected concurrently to evaluate both intervention outcomes and participants' experiences.
Quantitative outcomes are assessed at baseline, immediately after completion of the intervention, and at a three-month follow-up using validated measures of quality of life and active aging. Qualitative data obtained from group sessions and researcher field notes are analyzed to explore participants' experiences of the intervention, changes in perceptions of aging, psychosocial adaptation, and the meaning-making process. The mixed-methods design provides both effectiveness data and an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms through which the intervention may facilitate active aging.
- Being tested
- Existential and Solution-Focused Group Intervention
- Keywords
- Active Aging, Existential Approach, Solution Focused Approach, Embedded Mixed Methods, Process Analysis, Thematic Analysis, Psychosocial Intervention in Later Life
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Existential and Solution-Focused Group InterventionBehavioural
The intervention consisted of a structured 10-session closed-group program integrating existential therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and narrative therapy techniques. Each session lasted approximately 90 minutes.
- Introduction to the group process, establishment of group rules, and development of group cohesion.
- Exploration of aging-related psychosocial challenges, personal losses, and life transitions.
- Identification of personal strengths, resilience resources, and successful coping experiences.
- Exploration of meaning in life, freedom, responsibility, and acceptance of aging from an existential perspective.
- Life review and reconstruction of personal narratives using narrative therapy techniques.
- Identification of exceptions, personal resources, and future possibilities using solution-focused techniques.
- Application of the miracle question, scaling questions, and goal-setting to promote hope and self-efficacy.
- Strengthening social relationships, social par
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group Therapy Intervention | Experimental | Participants assigned to the intervention group received a structured existential and solution-focused group intervention enriched with narrative therapy techniques. The program was delivered in a closed-group format over 10 weekly sessions, with each session lasting approximately 90 minutes. Receives: Behavioral: Existential and Solution-Focused Group Intervention |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants assigned to the control group did not receive the study intervention during the study period and continued with their usual care and routine activities. Outcome assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
World Health Organization Quality of Life Older Adults Module (WHOQOL OLD)
World Health Organization Quality of Life-Older Adults Module (WHOQOL-OLD): The WHOQOL-OLD is a 24-item instrument comprising six domains: sensory abilities, autonomy, past, present and future activities, social participation, death and dying, and intimacy. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Domain scores and the total score are transformed to a scale ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after the 10-week intervention, and 3 months after the intervention
Secondary outcomes (1)
Active Aging Scale (AAS)
Active Aging Scale (AAS): The Active Aging Scale (AAS) is a 17-item instrument developed by Rantanen et al. and adapted into Turkish by Demir Erbil and Hazer (2019). For each activity, participants rate four dimensions (goals, functional capacity, opportunities, and activities) using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (lowest level of active aging) to 4 (highest level of active aging). Total scores range from 0 to 272, with higher scores indicating greater active aging.
Measured: aseline, immediately after the 10-week intervention, and 3 months after the intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted31 Jul 2026
- Study start5 May 2025
- Primary completion7 Jul 2025
- Study completion1 Oct 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Active Aging Individuals Aged 60 and OverStudies 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
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group or the control group using simple randomization (drawing lots) performed by an independent researcher. The intervention group participated in a structured 10-session existential and solution-focused group intervention, while the control group received usual care during the study period. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up.
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sinop University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Filiz ER, Sinop University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07740005
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025/11
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 31 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared to protect participants' privacy and confidentiality. The data were analyzed in an anonymized form and do not contain personally identifiable information. Study findings will be reported only as aggregated results.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- From Psychosocial Limitations to Active Aging: An Embedded Mixed Methods Evaluation of an Existential and Solution Focused Group Intervention for Older Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07740005
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025/11
- Keywords
- Active Aging, Existential Approach, Solution Focused Approach, Embedded Mixed Methods, Process Analysis, Thematic Analysis, Psychosocial Intervention in Later Life
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Sinop UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 7 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Oct 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 31 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.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated existential and solution-focused group intervention enriched with narrative therapy techniques in promoting active aging among older adults. The intervention was developed to address psychosocial limitations associated with aging, including social isolation, role loss, ageism, and existential concerns.
The study employed an embedded mixed-methods randomized controlled design. Older adults aged 65 years and over who attended a primary healthcare mental health unit in a city, Türkiye, were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group received a structured 10-session group program combining existential therapy, solution-focused approaches, and narrative therapy techniques. Quantitative data were collected using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Old Module (WHOQOL-OLD) and the Active Aging Scale (AAS) at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. Qualitative data were obtained through session transcripts and field notes to explore participants' experiences and the intervention process.
Detailed description
This study evaluates the effectiveness of an integrated psychosocial group intervention designed to promote active aging among older adults. The intervention combines existential therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and narrative therapy techniques to address psychosocial challenges commonly associated with later life, including social isolation, role loss, loneliness, ageism, grief, and existential concerns. The intervention was developed to strengthen participants' psychological resources, enhance meaning in life, support adaptive coping, and encourage active participation in daily and social life.
The intervention is based on the complementary strengths of existential and solution-focused approaches. The existential component encourages participants to acknowledge and accept aging-related experiences, including loss, physical limitations, and mortality, while exploring personal meaning and responsibility. The solution-focused component emphasizes personal strengths, future-oriented goals, successful past experiences, and practical solutions through techniques such as the miracle question, scaling questions, identifying exceptions, and recognizing existing resources. Narrative therapy techniques are integrated throughout the program to facilitate the reconstruction of personal life stories and reinforce identity continuity.
The study employs an embedded mixed-methods randomized controlled design. Participants aged 65 years and older attending a primary healthcare mental health unit are randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participates in a structured closed-group program consisting of ten weekly sessions, each lasting approximately 90 minutes, while the control group receives usual care during the study period. Quantitative and qualitative data are collected concurrently to evaluate both intervention outcomes and participants' experiences.
Quantitative outcomes are assessed at baseline, immediately after completion of the intervention, and at a three-month follow-up using validated measures of quality of life and active aging. Qualitative data obtained from group sessions and researcher field notes are analyzed to explore participants' experiences of the intervention, changes in perceptions of aging, psychosocial adaptation, and the meaning-making process. The mixed-methods design provides both effectiveness data and an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms through which the intervention may facilitate active aging.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group or the control group using simple randomization (drawing lots) performed by an independent researcher. The intervention group participated in a structured 10-session existential and solution-focused group intervention, while the control group received usual care during the study period. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group Therapy Intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: Existential and Solution-Focused Group InterventionParticipants assigned to the intervention group received a structured existential and solution-focused group intervention enriched with narrative therapy techniques. The program was delivered in a closed-group format over 10 weekly sessions, with each session lasting approximately 90 minutes. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants assigned to the control group did not receive the study intervention during the study period and continued with their usual care and routine activities. Outcome assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Aged 65 years or older. Registered at the mental health unit of the participating primary healthcare center.
- Able to communicate effectively and participate in group sessions. Sufficient cognitive functioning to complete interviews and study assessments. Willing to participate voluntarily and provide written informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Presence of severe psychiatric disorders that could interfere with participation in the group intervention.
- Presence of neurological disorders associated with significant cognitive impairment.
- Severe physical health problems preventing attendance at group sessions. Inability or unwillingness to complete the intervention or study assessments.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Existential and Solution-Focused Group InterventionThe intervention consisted of a structured 10-session closed-group program integrating existential therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and narrative therapy techniques. Each session lasted approximately 90 minutes. 1. Introduction to the group process, establishment of group rules, and development of group cohesion. 2. Exploration of aging-related psychosocial challenges, personal losses, and life transitions. 3. Identification of personal strengths, resilience resources, and successful coping experiences. 4. Exploration of meaning in life, freedom, responsibility, and acceptance of aging from an existential perspective. 5. Life review and reconstruction of personal narratives using narrative therapy techniques. 6. Identification of exceptions, personal resources, and future possibilities using solution-focused techniques. 7. Application of the miracle question, scaling questions, and goal-setting to promote hope and self-efficacy. 8. Strengthening social relationships, social par | Behavioural | Group Therapy Intervention |
Primary outcome
World Health Organization Quality of Life Older Adults Module (WHOQOL OLD)
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 10-week intervention, and 3 months after the intervention
World Health Organization Quality of Life-Older Adults Module (WHOQOL-OLD): The WHOQOL-OLD is a 24-item instrument comprising six domains: sensory abilities, autonomy, past, present and future activities, social participation, death and dying, and intimacy. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Domain scores and the total score are transformed to a scale ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
1 secondary outcome
Active Aging Scale (AAS)
Time frame: aseline, immediately after the 10-week intervention, and 3 months after 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 31 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared to protect participants' privacy and confidentiality. The data were analyzed in an anonymized form and do not contain personally identifiable information. Study findings will be reported only as aggregated results.
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 Existential and Solution-Focused Group Intervention in people with Active Aging Individuals Aged 60 and Over and Existential Distress, run by Sinop 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 2 inclusion and 3 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 31 Jul 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?
World Health Organization Quality of Life Older Adults Module (WHOQOL OLD) (time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 10-week intervention, and 3 months after the 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 31 Jul 2026.