ABC-f: Arts for the Blues for Children and young people (9-13 year-olds) with symptoms of depression using mental health services: A feasibility study on an evidence-based creative group psychotherapy compared to treatment as usual

Research question Is it feasible to conduct a study evaluating the creative group psychotherapy titled Arts for the Blues in Children and Adolescent MH Services (CAMHS)? Background The mental health (MH) of children and young people (CYP) is seriously concerning with an upward trend indicating that 1 in 5 CYP currently need MH support. This increase suggests alarming projections for the MH of future generations. Even though improving access to MH services for 0-17 year olds is a NHS priority, most CYP are not receiving timely or appropriate support. Evidence suggests that the arts can tackle some of these concerns by reducing depression, improving wellbeing and supporting social cohesion. Despite the value of these interventions for CYP, and overwhelming requests from CYP themselves for creative approaches to support their MH, evidence on the effectiveness of arts-based psychological interventions remains uncertain. Aims and objectives Building on previous research completed in schools with children at risk of developing MH problems, we aim to determine whether it is feasible to conduct a study with CYP aged 9-13 in mental health services to evaluate the effectiveness of Arts for the Blues, a creative group psychotherapy. The study will address uncertainties regarding the study design (recruitment, randomisation, outcome and cost measures) and the intervention (acceptability and fidelity) within an NHS context. Methods A randomised two-arm parallel outcome-assessor blinded feasibility trial will be conducted with 1:1 block allocation between group-delivered Arts for the Blues plus Treatment as Usual (TAU) and TAU alone. Sixty participants will be recruited from CAMHS at three NHS Trusts in the North West of England. Guided by patient and public involvement and engagement, we will record: (i) successful recruitment indicators including useful waiting lists, rates and time of recruitment; (ii) useful/less useful design-related strategies on randomisation, blinding and sensitivity of measures. We will also collect data on acceptability of the intervention from the participating CYP and therapists through: (iii) focus groups with CYP; (iv) attendance records; (v) adherence forms and (vi) adverse events. Finally, preliminary costs of the intervention per recipient will be calculated. Timelines for delivery The study will be completed in three phases. The first phase (A) will involve ethical approval, registration of the protocol, training of practitioners and setting up PPIE and project management groups (0-6 months). The second phase (B) will involve the delivery of the intervention and collection of data before, after and at three-months follow up (7-18 months). The third and last phase (C) will include completing analyses and making decisions on progression to full RCT. Anticipated Impact and Dissemination The primary impact will derive from conducting a future powered RCT if this proves feasible, adding to the evidence of arts-based psychotherapies for CYP and relevant NICE guidelines. Nevertheless, dissemination will also take place at this stage, via family/youth-friendly social media posts with audiovisual material, publications at open access peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and reports to interested organisations nationally and internationally. A dissemination event will also be organised involving CYP, their parents and youth practitioners.