Developing Resilience and Anxiety Management Through the Arts (DRAMA) 2
Case Western Reserve University
Summary
The Developing Resilience and Anxiety Management Through the Arts (DRAMA) Study examines the degree to which the arts can help to address stress, anxiety, and sad mood in children and adolescents. The researchers will pair theatrical improvisation exercises with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques versus improvisation exercises alone versus a social craft group on reducing elevated levels of anxiety and depression.
Description
The purpose of this study is to observe the benefits of theatrical improvisation exercises paired with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques versus improvisation exercises alone versus a craft control group on reducing elevated levels of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. It is possible that improvisational techniques could reduce anxiety and depression symptoms because they involve being spontaneous and going into social situations as well as creating something larger than oneself through the group (e.g., creating a scene, working together, etc.). It is also possible…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 8–17 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Between 8 and 17 years of age * Individuals must have parental/guardian consent * Elevated levels of anxiety or depression based on 1. Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) score of 15 or higher, or; 2. Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) Depression T score of 65 or higher, or; 3. Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS) clinician severity rating of 3 on any anxiety disorder or on a mood-related disorder Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with Conduct Disorder or with behavioral symptoms that would make it…
Interventions
- BehavioralImprovisation + Wellness
Theatrical improvisation exercises, the theatrical art of performance and storytelling without a script, will be combined with wellness techniques
- BehavioralImprovisation
Theatrical improvisation exercises (the theatrical art of performance and storytelling without a script) will be completed in this arm. These exercises will be fairly similar to that from the improvisation + wellness but without the wellness techniques.
- BehavioralSocial Craft
Participants assigned to the Social Craft group will engage in arts and crafts projects and activities
Location
- Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, Ohio