Recruiting

Developing Resilience and Anxiety Management Through the Arts

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.

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07033052

PhaseNA

Enrollment110

SponsorCase Western Reserve University

Age8 Years

SexALL

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Anxiety, Depression, Mood

About this study

Interventions

Behavioral: Improvisation + Wellness — Theatrical improvisation exercises, the theatrical art of performance and storytelling without a script, will be combined with wellness techniques
Behavioral: Improvisation — 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.
Behavioral: Social Craft — Participants assigned to the Social Craft group will engage in arts and crafts projects and activities

Primary outcomes

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 (based on youth report) (Baseline, post (after 9 weeks of the group curriculum), and 3 months post-group)
Cognitive Behavioral Technique (CBT) Skill Knowledge (Baseline, after 9 weeks of the group curriculum, and 3 months post-group)
Cognitive Behavioral Technique (CBT) Skills Use (Baseline, after 9 weeks of the group curriculum, and 3 months post-group)

Eligibility information

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 difficult for the child/adolescent to participate in the group or comply with directions given by the group leader (such as difficulty following instructions, difficulty staying in one's seat, defiance of adults, harming animals or people, threatening others, getting into physical fights, hyperactivity, impulsivity, difficulty waiting for one's turn, etc.) * Autism or developmental delays * Psychotic symptoms or active suicidality * Active Eating Disorders that raise concerns about morbidity and therefore need to be addressed in an intervention and actively monitored * Unsteady dosage or recently or impending changes to psychotropic medication(s) * Non-English-speaking individuals * Wards of the State

Study locations

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106 United States

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.