A-PATH: A path towards healing and support for older women
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN16469112 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16469112 |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 360331 |
| Central Portfolio Management System (CPMS) | 69256 |
| Sponsor | University College London |
| Funder | National Institute for Health and Care Research |
- Submission date
- 31/10/2025
- Registration date
- 22/04/2026
- Last edited
- 22/04/2026
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
At the moment, we know that older women, aged between 60 and 74, living in England and Wales, face high rates of domestic abuse. Domestic Abuse severely harms their physical and mental well-being. The reason we are doing this study is that existing support often misses the challenges that this population faces. An example is difficulties accessing online information and support. Another example is that the abuse may have lasted for many years, and the victim may be dependent on their abuser. The aim of the study is to adapt an existing support system which is called PATH (Psychological Advocacy Towards Healing). We aim to alter this to make it right for older women survivors to help their recovery.
Who can participate?
This study is intended for women above the age of 60, who have had or are currently experiencing domestic abuse, including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse. The participant should be able to provide their consent to participating in the study and be capable of engaging in the study's intervention and assessments.
What does the study involve?
This study involves three connected workstreams:
1. The adaptation and development of A-PATH
2. The identification of suitable referral pathways for those affected by domestic abuse
3. The initial testing of A-PATH – looking at how acceptable it is and how well it works for older people as compared with the standard support offered.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Taking part in this study may not bring direct benefits to participants personally. However, the information provided will help improve and test a support programme for older women in a larger study. By making sure the voices of older women who have experienced unhealthy or harmful behaviour from a partner/husband are heard, we hope this research will lead to better government-funded services that meet their needs and help safeguard their wellbeing.
Talking about unhealthy or harmful behaviour from a husband or partner can sometimes feel upsetting and may bring up feelings of fear, sadness, or shame. Participants are free to withdraw from the study at any time if the discussions become distressing or no longer feel useful to them. All the information provided will be kept confidential, except in focus groups, where confidentiality cannot be guaranteed because other participants will also hear what is shared.
Where is the study run from?
University College London (UK)
When is the study starting, and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2026 to March 2029.
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health and Care Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Vasiliki Orgeta, v.orgeta@ucl.ac.uk
Contact information
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator
6th Floor, Wings A and B, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Ct Rd
London
W1T 7NF
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-8643-5061 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 2076799294 |
| v.orgeta@ucl.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Interventional randomized controlled feasibility study |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Scientific title | A-PATH: Adapting Psychological Advocacy Towards Healing for older women affected by domestic abuse |
| Study acronym | A-PATH |
| Study objectives | Our study aims to improve the mental health of older female survivors of domestic abuse and support their well-being and recovery. To achieve this, we will: 1. Adapt the core components of the existing PATH intervention to ensure they are tailored to the needs and preferences of older women 2. Strengthen and tailor referral pathways to enhance accessibility with support services 3. Determine the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted PATH intervention and trial design |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 12/03/2026, London Stanmore Research Ethics Committee (2 Redman Place, Stratford, London, E20 1JQ, United Kingdom; no telephone number provided; stanmore.rec@hra.nhs.uk), ref: 26/PR/0105 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Domestic abuse |
| Intervention | - Women randomised to A-PATH will be offered up to eight weekly or fortnightly sessions, followed by two booster sessions, 1 month and then 3 months post-intervention. The schedule will be flexible and revised according to participant preferences. A-PATH is designed to support women in recognising, and exploring psychological consequences related to experiences of DA, while developing coping strategies to manage conflict and other stressors. - Women in the control group will receive usual care in the form of DA advocacy support but will not participate in A-PATH sessions. The advocacy support will include a package of legal, housing, financial, and safety advice, provided by our partner Hourglass, a leading national charity and experts in DA of older women. - We will follow-up all participants across all study arms for 4, 8 and 12 months. - We will consider how best to balance and stratify our randomisation (e.g., by age, co-habitation status, and site), with our sites chosen to increase diversity and serve both rural and urban areas. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Feasibility outcomes: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Measured at 4, 8, and 12 months: |
| Completion date | 31/03/2029 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient, Service user |
|---|---|
| Age group | Mixed |
| Lower age limit | 60 Years |
| Upper age limit | 120 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Target sample size at registration | 131 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Women aged 60 years or older 2. Who have experienced domestic abuse, including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse, either currently or in the past 3. Are able to provide informed consent to participate in the study 4. Have sufficient cognitive capacity to engage in the intervention and complete study assessments |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Women with a psychotic illness 2. Those living with a severe drug or alcohol problem 3. Those living with dementia 4. Individuals currently engaged in other structured psychotherapeutic treatments 5. Older male victims |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/04/2026 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/09/2027 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
- Wales
Study participating centres
London
W1T 7NF
England
Bristol
BS8 2PS
England
Swansea
SA2 8PP
Wales
North Devon
EX32 7YN
England
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan |
Editorial Notes
31/10/2025: Trial's existence confirmed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) (UK).
