DRAMA Study: Arts for Anxiety and Depression in Youth
This study, called DRAMA, is looking at how different art activities can help young people (ages 8-17) who are experiencing anxiety or depression. Researchers want to see if theatrical improvisation exercises, especially when combined with wellness techniques, can reduce these feelings. They are comparing three groups: one doing improvisation with wellness, another doing just improvisation, and a third doing social crafts. The study will measure changes in anxiety and depression symptoms, as reported by both parents and the youth themselves, and how much they learn about coping skills (cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT). To join, you need to be 8-17 years old, have parental consent, and show elevated levels of anxiety or depression based on specific screening scores. The study's current status is unclear, and it plans to enroll 110 participants.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study comparing three different behavioral approaches. It plans to enroll 110 participants aged 8-17.
- What's involved
- Participants will engage in group curriculum for 9 weeks. Assessments will be done at the start, after 9 weeks, and 3 months after the group curriculum ends.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Participants will be followed for 3 months after the 9-week group curriculum.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Developing Resilience and Anxiety Management Through the Arts
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- Amy Przeworski, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Case Western Reserve University
Who to contact
Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.
Do you actually qualify for this trial?
Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.
Inclusion
Exclusion
What this trial measures
- Child Anxiety and Depression (based on Parent Report)Baseline, post (after 9 weeks of the group curriculum), and 3 months post-group
Child anxiety and depression will be measured using a parent-report. The Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale Parent Report (RCADS-P) is a 47-item measure that assesses parent-report of child anxiety and depressive symptoms. Parents respond to each item on a 4-point Likert-scale from 0 ("never") to 3 ("always). The measure yields 6 subscales including: separation anxiety disorder (SAD), social phobia (SP), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). There is also a total anxiety scale, which is the sum of the 5 anxiety subscales and a total internalizing scale, which is the sum of all 6 subscales. The RCADS-P has excellent psychometric properties, including high internal consistency and convergent validity. Higher scores indicate higher anxiety/depression symptoms. A T-score is created based on the child's age and gender.
- Child Anxiety and Depression (based on youth report)Baseline, post (after 9 weeks of the group curriculum), and 3 months post-group
Child anxiety and depression will also be measured using a youth report. The Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) is a 47 item measure that assesses child report of child anxiety and depressive symptoms. Youth respond to each item on a 4-point Likert-scale from 0 ("never") to 3 ("always). The measure yields 6 subscales including: separation anxiety disorder (SAD), social phobia (SP), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). There is also a total anxiety scale, which is the sum of the 5 anxiety subscales and a total internalizing scale, which is the sum of all 6 subscales. The RCADS has been translated from English into Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, and Danish. The measure has good discriminant validity, internal consistency, and convergent validity and discriminates between anxiety and depression.
- Cognitive Behavioral Technique (CBT) Skill KnowledgeBaseline, after 9 weeks of the group curriculum, and 3 months post-group
This is a measure designed by the research team that assesses cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBT) Skills knowledge. Participants indicate whether each item is true or false. Items ask about whether thoughts and feelings influence one another, whether avoidance is a good idea when one is anxious about something, present-moment focus/mindfulness, diaphragmatic breathing, activity scheduling, progressive muscle relaxation, etc.
- Cognitive Behavioral Technique (CBT) Skills UseBaseline, after 9 weeks of the group curriculum, and 3 months post-group
This is a measure designed by the research team that assesses cognitive-behavioral technique (CBT) Skills use. Participants indicate how often they use each skill on a scale from Never (0) to At least once a day (5). Skills assessed included diaphragmatic breathing, cognitive restructuring, facing your fears, muscle relaxation, being mindful, scheduling pleasant activities, etc.