Healthy AgingNCT07735351
Sandplay-Act. Older: Structured Sandplay Activity for Older Individuals
A study testing Sandplay-Act. Older: Structured Sandplay Activity for Older Individuals in people with Healthy Aging and Elderly (People Aged 65 or More), run by Suleyman Demirel University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This research was planned to determine the effect of structured sandplay activities on positive and negative affect and levels of meaning in life in elderly individuals. The research will be conducted as a single-blind, randomized controlled trial with a pre-test, post-test design at the Gül Kokulu Çınarlar Vefa… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 to 80 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy Aging, Elderly (People Aged 65 or More)
- What is being tested?
- Sandplay-Act. Older: Structured Sandplay Activity for Older Individuals
- 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
- 17 Aug 2026to 31 Mar 2027
- 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 65 to 80 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Voluntary participation in the study
- No specific condition that would cause learning difficulties (auditory or visual perception disorders, etc.)
- Being between 65-80 years of age
- No acute psychiatric disorder or severe cognitive impairment
Who cannot join
- Having a mental or physical disability that prevents communication and attendance at sessions (inability to speak, diagnosis of severe dementia, etc.)
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
Suleyman Demirel University
Isparta
sema soysal, semasoysal79@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Structured Sandplay Activities on Positive and Negative Affect and Meaning in Life in Older Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Study
This research was planned to determine the effect of structured sandplay activities on positive and negative affect and levels of meaning in life in elderly individuals. The research will be conducted as a single-blind, randomized controlled trial with a pre-test, post-test design at the Gül Kokulu Çınarlar Vefa Konağı of the Isparta Municipality Health Affairs Directorate between July 2026 and July 2027. Prior to the research, ethical committee approval and institutional permission for implementation will be obtained. The research population consists of 400 individuals registered with the institution. The sample will consist of 60 individuals (30 in the intervention group and 30 in the control group) who meet the inclusion criteria, are selected using block randomization, and provide informed consent. The control group will receive no intervention; a pre-test will be administered on the first day, and a post-test will be administered on the day the intervention for the experimental group ends. The intervention group will participate in sandplay activities twice a week for a total of four sessions; a pre-test will be administered on the first day, and a post-test will be administered in the last session. Data collection is planned for the period between July 2026 and July 2027 using the Personal Information Form (PIF), the Positive-Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and the Meaning in Life Scale (MLS). Data will be analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Program for Social Sciences) statistical analysis package, and statistical significance will be accepted at p < 0.05.
Read the detailed description
Old age is a period of life characterized by intense cognitive, physical, psychological, and social changes, where an individual's functionality may decrease and their psychosocial needs increase. The increasing elderly population worldwide and in Türkiye increases the need for effective interventions to protect the mental health of older individuals. During the aging process, factors such as chronic diseases, loss of physical function, retirement, loss of loved ones, loneliness, and reduced social roles can negatively affect individuals' psychological well-being, emotions, and sense of meaning in life. In addition, increased social isolation and the thought of approaching the end of life make the process of questioning the meaning of life more pronounced in older individuals. Current studies show that loneliness and decreased social participation negatively affect psychological well-being; conversely, meaningful social relationships and psychological resilience support life satisfaction and meaning in life.
Meaning in life is a fundamental psychological resource that enables individuals to perceive their lives as purposeful, valuable, and holistic, and it is an important protective factor supporting mental health and successful aging in old age . Research shows that individuals with a high level of meaning in life have higher psychological well-being, life satisfaction, and positive affect; Studies show that depression, loneliness, and psychological distress are lower in this group. Jung's analytical psychology theory describes the second half of life as a crucial developmental period in which individuals re-evaluate their lives, integrate past experiences, and intensify their search for meaning in life. However, age discrimination, negative perceptions of aging, and unmet psychosocial needs can negatively impact this process; therefore, Neuroscience and expressive arts-based approaches demonstrate that nonverbal expression processes support emotional processing, the restructuring of life experiences, and psychological well-being . Meaning-focused interventions such as life assessment and expressive writing have been reported to increase meaning in life, reduce depressive symptoms, and support emotional well-being in older individuals. However, the number of experimental psychosocial interventions that address both meaning in life and positive-negative affect is limited. Sandplay is a creative psychosocial intervention that allows individuals to externalize, reinterpret, and express their inner experiences in a safe environment through symbols, addressing emotions, thoughts, and life experiences that they have difficulty expressing verbally. While it is stated that sandplay can support the restructuring of life experiences and the strengthening of meaning in life in older individuals, most studies in this area are limited to case reports or qualitative research . The lack of randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of sandplay on meaning in life and positive and negative affect in older individuals constitutes a significant knowledge gap. Furthermore, in psychiatric nursing, it is necessary to address the individual's psychological, social, and existential needs holistically, not just their physical needs; It is recommended that creative interventions supporting therapeutic communication and emotional expression be integrated into the care process. In this context, evaluating the impact of structured sandplay activities on meaning in life and positive and negative affect in older adults will contribute to the development of evidence-based psychiatric nursing practices and the creation of alternative psychosocial interventions for older adults.holistic psychosocial interventions aimed at strengthening meaning in life are needed.
- Conditions
- Healthy Aging, Elderly (People Aged 65 or More)
- Being tested
- Sandplay-Act. Older: Structured Sandplay Activity for Older Individuals, Control
- Keywords
- elderly, positive and negative emotions, meaning in life, sandplay
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Sandplay-Act. Older: Structured Sandplay Activity for Older IndividualsBehavioural
Sandplay-Act Older (Structured Sandplay Activity for Older Individuals) is a structured sandplay activity developed to support older individuals in expressing their emotions, thoughts, and life experiences symbolically. The intervention consists of structured sessions where participants create scenes in a sand tray using miniature figures and make sense of their life experiences through these scenes. The program will be conducted twice a week for a total of four sessions. Each session will last approximately 60 minutes.
ControlOther
Participants in the control group will not participate in structured sand play activities during the study period. Participants will continue with the institution's routine care and social activities; however, no psychosocial interventions will be applied within the scope of the study.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group | Experimental | The intervention group will participate in a total of four 60-minute Sandplay Activity sessions, twice a week. Receives: Behavioral: Sandplay-Act. Older: Structured Sandplay Activity for Older Individuals |
| Control Group | Other | Not described Receives: Other: Control |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Positive-Negative Emotion Scale (PANAS)
In this study, this scale was used to determine positive and negative emotions. The scale was created by Watson et al. (1988) and adapted into Turkish by Gençöz (2000). This scale, which has a total of 20 items and no reverse items, has 10 items that determine positive emotions and 10 items that determine negative emotions. In the Turkish form of the scale, it is a 5-point Likert type and is rated between "very little or none (1) and very much (5)". In the original form of the scale, the Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was reported as 0.88 and 0.85 for positive and negative emotions, respectively. Gençöz (2000), on the other hand, calculated the Cronbach's alpha values as 0.83 and 0.86 for positive and negative emotions in his research. In the study, Cronbach's alpha value was calculated as 0.81 for positive emotion and 0.79 for negative emotion.
Measured: At baseline and immediately after completion of the fourth intervention session.
Meaning in Life Scale (MLS)
The level of meaning in life of adult individuals was measured using the Meaning in Life Scale (MLS), developed by Steger et al. (2006) and adapted into Turkish by Demirbaş (2010). The MLS consists of 10 items, comprising two sub-dimensions: the presence of meaning in life and the search for meaning in life. Participants rate the appropriateness of each item on a seven-point Likert scale ranging from definitely not true (1) to definitely true (7). Scores on the scale range from 10 to 70, with higher scores indicating a higher level of meaning in life. Demirbaş (2010) reported the internal consistency of the entire MLS as .86 in a sample of university students. The Cronbach alpha internal consistency reliability coefficient calculated in this study was .75, indicating an acceptable level of reliability (Yockey, 2011). An example item from the scale is, "I am aware of the meaning of my life."
Measured: At baseline and immediately after completion of the fourth intervention session.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Jul 2026
- Study start17 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion15 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Mar 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Healthy AgingStudies 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
- Suleyman Demirel University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Sema Soysal, Suleyman Demirel University
- Investigators
- sema soysal, Principal investigator, Suleyman Demirel University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07735351
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 01.07.2026/125/9
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 24 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 19 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 19 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Structured Sandplay Activities on Positive and Negative Affect and Meaning in Life in Older Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07735351
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 01.07.2026/125/9
- Conditions
- Healthy Aging, Elderly (People Aged 65 or More)
- Keywords
- elderly, positive and negative emotions, meaning in life, sandplay
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Suleyman Demirel UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 17 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 15 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 30 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 research was planned to determine the effect of structured sandplay activities on positive and negative affect and levels of meaning in life in elderly individuals. The research will be conducted as a single-blind, randomized controlled trial with a pre-test, post-test design at the Gül Kokulu Çınarlar Vefa Konağı of the Isparta Municipality Health Affairs Directorate between July 2026 and July 2027. Prior to the research, ethical committee approval and institutional permission for implementation will be obtained. The research population consists of 400 individuals registered with the institution. The sample will consist of 60 individuals (30 in the intervention group and 30 in the control group) who meet the inclusion criteria, are selected using block randomization, and provide informed consent. The control group will receive no intervention; a pre-test will be administered on the first day, and a post-test will be administered on the day the intervention for the experimental group ends. The intervention group will participate in sandplay activities twice a week for a total of four sessions; a pre-test will be administered on the first day, and a post-test will be administered in the last session. Data collection is planned for the period between July 2026 and July 2027 using the Personal Information Form (PIF), the Positive-Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and the Meaning in Life Scale (MLS). Data will be analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Program for Social Sciences) statistical analysis package, and statistical significance will be accepted at p < 0.05.
Detailed description
Old age is a period of life characterized by intense cognitive, physical, psychological, and social changes, where an individual's functionality may decrease and their psychosocial needs increase. The increasing elderly population worldwide and in Türkiye increases the need for effective interventions to protect the mental health of older individuals. During the aging process, factors such as chronic diseases, loss of physical function, retirement, loss of loved ones, loneliness, and reduced social roles can negatively affect individuals' psychological well-being, emotions, and sense of meaning in life. In addition, increased social isolation and the thought of approaching the end of life make the process of questioning the meaning of life more pronounced in older individuals. Current studies show that loneliness and decreased social participation negatively affect psychological well-being; conversely, meaningful social relationships and psychological resilience support life satisfaction and meaning in life.
Meaning in life is a fundamental psychological resource that enables individuals to perceive their lives as purposeful, valuable, and holistic, and it is an important protective factor supporting mental health and successful aging in old age . Research shows that individuals with a high level of meaning in life have higher psychological well-being, life satisfaction, and positive affect; Studies show that depression, loneliness, and psychological distress are lower in this group. Jung's analytical psychology theory describes the second half of life as a crucial developmental period in which individuals re-evaluate their lives, integrate past experiences, and intensify their search for meaning in life. However, age discrimination, negative perceptions of aging, and unmet psychosocial needs can negatively impact this process; therefore, Neuroscience and expressive arts-based approaches demonstrate that nonverbal expression processes support emotional processing, the restructuring of life experiences, and psychological well-being . Meaning-focused interventions such as life assessment and expressive writing have been reported to increase meaning in life, reduce depressive symptoms, and support emotional well-being in older individuals. However, the number of experimental psychosocial interventions that address both meaning in life and positive-negative affect is limited. Sandplay is a creative psychosocial intervention that allows individuals to externalize, reinterpret, and express their inner experiences in a safe environment through symbols, addressing emotions, thoughts, and life experiences that they have difficulty expressing verbally. While it is stated that sandplay can support the restructuring of life experiences and the strengthening of meaning in life in older individuals, most studies in this area are limited to case reports or qualitative research . The lack of randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of sandplay on meaning in life and positive and negative affect in older individuals constitutes a significant knowledge gap. Furthermore, in psychiatric nursing, it is necessary to address the individual's psychological, social, and existential needs holistically, not just their physical needs; It is recommended that creative interventions supporting therapeutic communication and emotional expression be integrated into the care process. In this context, evaluating the impact of structured sandplay activities on meaning in life and positive and negative affect in older adults will contribute to the development of evidence-based psychiatric nursing practices and the creation of alternative psychosocial interventions for older adults.holistic psychosocial interventions aimed at strengthening meaning in life are needed.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Sandplay-Act. Older: Structured Sandplay Activity for Older IndividualsThe intervention group will participate in a total of four 60-minute Sandplay Activity sessions, twice a week. |
| Control Group | Other | Other: Control |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Voluntary participation in the study
- No specific condition that would cause learning difficulties (auditory or visual perception disorders, etc.)
- Being between 65-80 years of age
- No acute psychiatric disorder or severe cognitive impairment
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Having a mental or physical disability that prevents communication and attendance at sessions (inability to speak, diagnosis of severe dementia, etc.)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sandplay-Act. Older: Structured Sandplay Activity for Older IndividualsSandplay-Act Older (Structured Sandplay Activity for Older Individuals) is a structured sandplay activity developed to support older individuals in expressing their emotions, thoughts, and life experiences symbolically. The intervention consists of structured sessions where participants create scenes in a sand tray using miniature figures and make sense of their life experiences through these scenes. The program will be conducted twice a week for a total of four sessions. Each session will last approximately 60 minutes. | Behavioural | Intervention Group |
| ControlParticipants in the control group will not participate in structured sand play activities during the study period. Participants will continue with the institution's routine care and social activities; however, no psychosocial interventions will be applied within the scope of the study. | Other | Control Group |
Primary outcome
Positive-Negative Emotion Scale (PANAS)
Time frame: At baseline and immediately after completion of the fourth intervention session.
In this study, this scale was used to determine positive and negative emotions. The scale was created by Watson et al. (1988) and adapted into Turkish by Gençöz (2000). This scale, which has a total of 20 items and no reverse items, has 10 items that determine positive emotions and 10 items that determine negative emotions. In the Turkish form of the scale, it is a 5-point Likert type and is rated between "very little or none (1) and very much (5)". In the original form of the scale, the Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was reported as 0.88 and 0.85 for positive and negative emotions, respectively. Gençöz (2000), on the other hand, calculated the Cronbach's alpha values as 0.83 and 0.86 for positive and negative emotions in his research. In the study, Cronbach's alpha value was calculated as 0.81 for positive emotion and 0.79 for negative emotion.
Meaning in Life Scale (MLS)
Time frame: At baseline and immediately after completion of the fourth intervention session.
The level of meaning in life of adult individuals was measured using the Meaning in Life Scale (MLS), developed by Steger et al. (2006) and adapted into Turkish by Demirbaş (2010). The MLS consists of 10 items, comprising two sub-dimensions: the presence of meaning in life and the search for meaning in life. Participants rate the appropriateness of each item on a seven-point Likert scale ranging from definitely not true (1) to definitely true (7). Scores on the scale range from 10 to 70, with higher scores indicating a higher level of meaning in life. Demirbaş (2010) reported the internal consistency of the entire MLS as .86 in a sample of university students. The Cronbach alpha internal consistency reliability coefficient calculated in this study was .75, indicating an acceptable level of reliability (Yockey, 2011). An example item from the scale is, "I am aware of the meaning of my life."
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 19 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.
sema soysal principal investigator
Suleyman Demirel University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Sandplay-Act. Older: Structured Sandplay Activity for Older Individuals in people with Healthy Aging and Elderly (People Aged 65 or More), run by Suleyman Demirel 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 1 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 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 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?
Positive-Negative Emotion Scale (PANAS) (time frame: At baseline and immediately after completion of the fourth intervention session.). 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 19 Aug 2026.