Intergenerational engagement among older people in the long-term care facility
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN14922432 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14922432 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | Nil known |
| Sponsor | University of Birmingham |
| Funder | Investigator initiated and funded |
- Submission date
- 20/06/2025
- Registration date
- 24/06/2025
- Last edited
- 28/08/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
China is experiencing a rapid rise in its aging population. Cognitive and physical declines associated with ageing can limit social
interaction, which particularly impacts those residing in long-term care facilities and their engagement with children and young people.
Intergenerational engagement (the interaction between the old and the young) presents a promising avenue to improve the well-being of older people residing in such long-term care settings. However, there is a noticeable gap in empirical evidence supporting its potential benefits in long-term care facilities in China. This study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of IE in a long-term care facility in China.
Who can participate?
1. Older people aged 60 years and above who reside in the long-term care facility
2. Young people aged 15 to 16 years from a local school
3. Staff working at the long-term care facility
What does the study involve?
The study involves participation in a 5-week intergenerational engagement intervention held at a long-term care facility. Older and younger participants will take part in weekly shared activities, such as music, crafts, and discussions. Older people will be asked to complete brief questionnaires before and after the intervention to help assess changes in well-being. They will also take part in individual interviews to share their experiences. In addition, focus groups will be conducted with young people and care staff to gather their perspectives on the IE intervention. All participation is voluntary, and activities are designed to be enjoyable and appropriate for participants’ abilities.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participation in this study may benefit both older and younger participants by fostering intergenerational interaction, which could support the well-being of older people in long-term care facilities and promote mutual understanding across generations. The study may also contribute to identifying practical strategies to enhance mental and social well-being in these settings. Younger participants may gain increased awareness of ageing, empathy, and a sense of social responsibility. In addition, the findings may help inform future policies and practices in long-term care facilities and address gaps in existing research on the feasibility and acceptability of intergenerational engagement in China. Potential risks are minimal but may include emotional discomfort when reflecting on personal experiences and slight physical strain associated with certain activities, particularly for older participants with existing health conditions.
Where is the study run from?
Department of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Health Sciences, University of Birmingham (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
July 2024 to September 2024
Who is funding the study?
Investigator initiated and funded
Who is the main contact?
Hao Liu, hxl345@bham.ac.uk
Contact information
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0009-0003-7872-7998 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)7946452670 |
| hxl345@bham.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Feasibility study with an embedded mixed methods design |
| Secondary study design | Feasibility study |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Intergenerational engagement among older people in the long-term care facility in China：a mixed methods feasibility study |
| Study objectives | The intergenerational engagement (IE) intervention is feasible and acceptable among older residents, young people, and staff in the long-term care facility. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 30/07/2024, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Committee of the University of Birmingham (University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom; +44 (0)121 414 3344; ethics-queries@contacts.bham.ac.uk), ref: ERN_1775-Jul2024 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Older people living in the long-term care facility |
| Intervention | This feasibility study employs an embedded mixed methods design, in which quantitative feasibility metrics (e.g., recruitment, retention, attendance, and scale completion) are collected alongside qualitative data. Qualitative insights explore participants’ experiences and perceptions of the intervention, providing contextual depth and helping to refine future implementation. By combining quantitative measures with qualitative feedback, this approach offers a more comprehensive understanding of the intervention’s feasibility and acceptability. The study begins with the assessment of participant eligibility, followed by obtaining informed consent. Baseline assessment data are collected the day before the IE intervention. After the intervention, a follow-up assessment is conducted within 7 days. This is followed by qualitative interviews with older participants and focus groups with long-term care facility staff and young people. The IE intervention was developed using insights from our previous systematic review and was guided by the activity theory of ageing, tailored to Chinese cultural contexts. Feedback from a PPI team comprising older people, long-term care staff, young people, and parents ensured the intervention's feasibility, accessibility, and clarity. The intervention brings together older people and young people in weekly 90-minute sessions, organizing group activities with 2-4 older people and 1-2 young people per group. During these interactions, the researcher and staff serve as facilitators, promoting inclusive conversations and ensuring all participants feel valued and heard. Each session includes warm-up games, hands-on activities, sharing of stories and experiences, and refreshments, fostering meaningful intergenerational connections. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. The feasibility will be assessed using quantitative data: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Depression measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) at baseline and post-intervention (within 7 days after intervention) |
| Completion date | 08/09/2024 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Carer, Learner/student, Resident |
|---|---|
| Age group | Senior |
| Lower age limit | 60 Years |
| Upper age limit | 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 30 |
| Total final enrolment | 30 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Eligibility criteria for older residents included: 1. Aged 60 years or above 2. In relatively good physical and mental health, able to perform daily activities with minimal assistance and actively participate in the study without requiring intensive medical or psychological support 3. Able to communicate effectively in either Cantonese or Mandarin, including understanding, responding to questions, and engaging in conversations 4. Willing to participate in the IE programme and provide signed informed consent |
| Key exclusion criteria | Older residents were excluded if they: 1. Had medium or severe cognitive impairments, were in the acute phase of a chronic disease, were disabled, or were in the end-of-life period 2. Were unable to communicate effectively in either Cantonese or Mandarin 3. Declined to provide informed consent or expressed unwillingness to engage in the IE programme |
| Date of first enrolment | 30/07/2024 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/08/2024 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- China
Study participating centre
Yantang
Tianhe District
Guangzhou
510000
China
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The dataset generated during and/or analysed during the current study will be available upon reasonable request from Hao Liu (hxl345@bham.ac.uk). All shared data will be fully anonymised, in accordance with the study’s ethical approval and participant consent. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol article | 27/08/2025 | 28/08/2025 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
28/08/2025: Publication reference added.
20/06/2025: Study's existence confirmed by the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Committee of the University of Birmingham.
