Examining the Effects of an Improvisation Group

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Status: Completed

Conditions: Self Concept Alteration; Social Support; Depression; Anxiety

Treatments: Other: Improvisation Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03147924

2927

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is taking place to examine the preliminary effects of improvisational therapy (improv group) on social anxiety for youth at the Youth Wellness Centre (YWC). The improv group will run for 12-weeks as a drop-in group. A typical session will begin with stretching, simple breathing and an activity to promote group cohesion. Following this, improvisation games and activities will be introduced with the goal of promoting the following skills: assertiveness, acceptance, problem solving, co-operate skills, non-verbal communication, mindfulness, and memory. Youth who consent to the study will be asked to complete a set of brief questionnaires the first time they attend one of the sessions. Youth who have attended at least 3 sessions will be asked again to complete questionnaires following the completion of week 12 session. Youth will also rate their anxiety and distress on a simple rating scale at the beginning and end of each session. Additionally, all participants (who have attended three or more sessions) will be invited to complete a 30 to 45 minute qualitative interview following the 12 week session. Participants are predicted to show a decrease in social anxiety, generalized anxiety and depression symptoms, and an increase in self-esteem, and perceived social support.

Enrollment: 5 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 17 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• help-seeking youth
• ages 17-25

Exclusion criteria

• will NOT be excluded on the basis of mental health or addiction concerns

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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5 participants in 1 patient group

Attending Improvisation Group

Experimental group

Description:

Attended 3 or more Improvisation Group sessions

Treatment:

Other: Improvisation Group