AnglingNCT07682935
Investigation of the Effects of Angling as Supportive Therapy in Schizophrenia Treatment on Serum Parameters, Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life
A study testing recreational fishing (angling) in people with Angling and Supportive Therapeutic, run by Firat University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study aims to evaluate the effects of recreational fishing (angling) as a supportive therapeutic intervention in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by disturbances in thinking, perception, emotion, and behavior, often accompanied by negative… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Angling, Supportive Therapeutic, Schizophrenia
- What is being tested?
- recreational fishing (angling)
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Jun 2026to 15 Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 60 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 18 years and older
- Able to communicate verbally
- Diagnosed with schizophrenia
- Able to provide written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders other than schizophrenia
- Patients in the acute psychotic (attack) phase
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Fırat university
Elâzığ, Center, 25240
Gülcan B Bahçecioğlu Turan, 506 557 60 86, gulcanbahcecioglu@firat.edu.tr
About this study
Official title: Angling as a Supportive Therapy in the Treatment of Schizophrenia
This study aims to evaluate the effects of recreational fishing (angling) as a supportive therapeutic intervention in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by disturbances in thinking, perception, emotion, and behavior, often accompanied by negative symptoms such as social withdrawal, anhedonia, and cognitive impairment, which significantly reduce quality of life.
Recreational activities, particularly those involving nature-based engagement, have been shown to support psychological well-being through stress reduction, improved attention, and enhanced mood regulation. Angling is considered a mindfulness-like recreational activity that promotes relaxation, concentration, and emotional regulation, potentially offering benefits for individuals with psychiatric conditions.
Read more
In this randomized controlled study, participants with schizophrenia will engage in a structured recreational fishing program in addition to standard care. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated on biochemical serum parameters, anxiety and depression levels, and quality of life outcomes. The study also aims to assess the psychosocial well-being of participants and determine the feasibility of integrating angling as an adjunctive non-pharmacological intervention in schizophrenia care.
The findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based complementary treatment approaches in psychiatric rehabilitation.
- Conditions
- Angling, Supportive Therapeutic, Schizophrenia
- Being tested
- recreational fishing (angling)
- Medical subject headings
- Schizophrenia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
recreational fishing (angling)Behavioural
Fishing will be done.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| recreational fishing (angling) | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: recreational fishing (angling) |
| Control | No intervention | Not described |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale : he Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), developed by Kay et al., is a semi-structured clinician-rated instrument consisting of 30 items scored on a 7-point scale (1 = absent to 7 = extreme). The scale comprises three subscales: positive symptoms (7 items; score range: 7-49), negative symptoms (7 items; score range: 7-49), and general psychopathology (16 items; score range: 16-112). Total PANSS scores range from 30 to 210, with higher scores indicating more severe psychopathology and poorer clinical status.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention.
Quality of Life Scale for Schizophrenia Patients
Developed by Heinrich et al. to assess the quality of life of schizophrenia patients, the Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Soygür et al. Administered in a semi-structured interview format, the scale evaluates the individual's symptoms and level of functioning over the past four weeks. It consists of 21 items and four sub-dimensions: interpersonal relationships, occupational role, mental symptoms, and daily activities. Scores on the scale range from 0 to 126, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention.
UCLA Loneliness Scale
The UCLA Loneliness Scale-Short Form (ULS-8) is an 8-item self-report instrument used to assess perceived loneliness. Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("Never") to 4 ("Always"). Two items are reverse scored. Total scores range from 8 to 32, with higher scores indicating greater perceived loneliness.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention.
Serum Beta-Endorphin Concentration
Venous blood samples will be collected to measure serum beta-endorphin concentration. Changes in serum beta-endorphin levels will be evaluated to assess the biological effects of the intervention.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention.
Serum Serotonin Concentration
Venous blood samples will be collected to measure serum serotonin concentration. Changes in serum serotonin levels will be evaluated to assess the biological effects of the intervention.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention.
Serum Cortisol Concentration
Venous blood samples will be collected to measure serum cortisol concentration. Changes in serum cortisol levels will be evaluated to assess the biological effects of the intervention.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Jul 2026
- Study start15 Jun 2026
- Primary completion15 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Aug 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for AnglingStudies 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
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Firat University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Gülcan Bahçecioğlu Turan, Firat University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07682935
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026/09-43
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Jul 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 7 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Angling as a Supportive Therapy in the Treatment of Schizophrenia
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07682935
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2026/09-43
- Conditions
- Angling, Supportive Therapeutic, Schizophrenia
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Firat UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 6 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 effects of recreational fishing (angling) as a supportive therapeutic intervention in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by disturbances in thinking, perception, emotion, and behavior, often accompanied by negative symptoms such as social withdrawal, anhedonia, and cognitive impairment, which significantly reduce quality of life.
Recreational activities, particularly those involving nature-based engagement, have been shown to support psychological well-being through stress reduction, improved attention, and enhanced mood regulation. Angling is considered a mindfulness-like recreational activity that promotes relaxation, concentration, and emotional regulation, potentially offering benefits for individuals with psychiatric conditions.
In this randomized controlled study, participants with schizophrenia will engage in a structured recreational fishing program in addition to standard care. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated on biochemical serum parameters, anxiety and depression levels, and quality of life outcomes. The study also aims to assess the psychosocial well-being of participants and determine the feasibility of integrating angling as an adjunctive non-pharmacological intervention in schizophrenia care.
The findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based complementary treatment approaches in psychiatric rehabilitation.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| recreational fishing (angling) | Experimental | Behavioral: recreational fishing (angling) |
| Control | No intervention | – |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Adults aged 18 years and older
- Able to communicate verbally
- Diagnosed with schizophrenia
- Able to provide written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders other than schizophrenia
- Patients in the acute psychotic (attack) phase
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 |
|---|---|---|
| recreational fishing (angling)Fishing will be done. | Behavioural | recreational fishing (angling) |
Primary outcome
The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention.
The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale : he Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), developed by Kay et al., is a semi-structured clinician-rated instrument consisting of 30 items scored on a 7-point scale (1 = absent to 7 = extreme). The scale comprises three subscales: positive symptoms (7 items; score range: 7-49), negative symptoms (7 items; score range: 7-49), and general psychopathology (16 items; score range: 16-112). Total PANSS scores range from 30 to 210, with higher scores indicating more severe psychopathology and poorer clinical status.
Quality of Life Scale for Schizophrenia Patients
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention.
Developed by Heinrich et al. to assess the quality of life of schizophrenia patients, the Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Soygür et al. Administered in a semi-structured interview format, the scale evaluates the individual's symptoms and level of functioning over the past four weeks. It consists of 21 items and four sub-dimensions: interpersonal relationships, occupational role, mental symptoms, and daily activities. Scores on the scale range from 0 to 126, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
UCLA Loneliness Scale
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention.
The UCLA Loneliness Scale-Short Form (ULS-8) is an 8-item self-report instrument used to assess perceived loneliness. Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("Never") to 4 ("Always"). Two items are reverse scored. Total scores range from 8 to 32, with higher scores indicating greater perceived loneliness.
Serum Beta-Endorphin Concentration
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention.
Venous blood samples will be collected to measure serum beta-endorphin concentration. Changes in serum beta-endorphin levels will be evaluated to assess the biological effects of the intervention.
Serum Serotonin Concentration
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention.
Venous blood samples will be collected to measure serum serotonin concentration. Changes in serum serotonin levels will be evaluated to assess the biological effects of the intervention.
Serum Cortisol Concentration
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention.
Venous blood samples will be collected to measure serum cortisol concentration. Changes in serum cortisol levels will be evaluated to assess the biological effects of the intervention.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing recreational fishing (angling) in people with Angling and Supportive Therapeutic, run by Firat 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 4 inclusion and 2 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention.). The study lists 6 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 7 Jul 2026.