Nudge of the mind: simple strategies may shield seniors from financial exploitation

NCT ID NCT07682740

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting This study
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
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Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
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The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
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Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

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First seen Jul 06, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests whether brief informational 'nudges' can improve financial decision-making in older adults who are vulnerable to exploitation. Participants aged 60 and older will review simple strategies before completing money-related tasks that measure risk-taking, trust, patience, and more. The goal is to see if these easy-to-learn mental shortcuts can help protect seniors from financial harm.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
informational self-nudges
What this could lead to
If effective, these simple strategies could help older adults make smarter financial choices and reduce their risk of being exploited.
What could go wrong
This is an early-stage behavioral study with no direct medical treatment. The nudges may not change real-world financial behavior, and results may not apply to all older adults.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 400 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Jan 2027

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Dec 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

60 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults over the age of 60 * English speakers, to ensure comprehension of study tasks * High vulnerability to financial exploitation as assessed by the Financial Exploitation Vulnerability Scale (FEVS) Exclusion Criteria: * Less than age 60 * Non-English speaker

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As listed by the trial registrant

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How to take part

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

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