Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 Months and up

How group-based support affects student well-being, stress biology, and DNA markers

Official title: Physiological, Hormonal, and DNA-based Mechanisms of Psychosocial Stress and Therapeutic Effect

Run by University of Helsinki · NCT07152652 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project will test if the Groups 4 Health program helps University of Helsinki students feel less lonely and changes stress-related biological markers.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Months and up
SexAll
Enrollment148 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Helsinki
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Helsinki, Uusimaa)
StatusRecruiting
StartedSeptember 12, 2025
Main results expectedDecember 2028
Study endsDecember 2028
Registry record updatedSeptember 29, 2025
Trial IDNCT07152652 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adult (18+) students enrolled at the University of Helsinki who can read/speak Finnish, Swedish, or English and experience loneliness or social isolation are ideal candidates.

Probably not a fit

People who are not University of Helsinki students, cannot attend group sessions, or do not feel lonely are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a randomized waitlist-controlled trial testing the Groups 4 Health (G4H) brief group intervention for loneliness among University of Helsinki students. Participants are randomized to start G4H immediately or after a 19-week waitlist and the intervention consists of five facilitated group sessions delivered over seven weeks with follow-up assessments. The trial collects psychosocial measures, facilitator characteristics, and biological measures before, during, and after the intervention, including cortisol, heart rate variability, alpha-amylase, DNA methylation, and genotyping. Cost-effectiveness of the intervention is also measured to inform practical implementation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, G4H could reduce loneliness and improve stress regulation in students, potentially improving mental health and daily functioning.

How similar studies have gone: Previous trials of Groups 4 Health and similar group-based loneliness interventions have reported improvements in social connectedness and mental health, though combining these with detailed biological measures is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult (age 18 and above)
* Student in the University of Helsinki, Finland
* Able to speak/read Finnish, Swedish, or English

Exclusion Criteria:

* None

Where it's running

  • University of Helsinki
    Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.