Exploratory RCT of art therapy as an adjunctive treatment in schizophrenia

Richardson, Phil; Jones, Kevin; Evans, Chris; Stevens, Peter and Rowe, Anna. 2007. Exploratory RCT of art therapy as an adjunctive treatment in schizophrenia. Journal of Mental Health, 16(4), 483 -491. ISSN 0963-8237 [Article]

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Abstract or Description

Background
There is no high quality controlled trial evidence for the effectiveness of art therapy in the adjunctive treatment of schizophrenia.

Aims
To conduct the first exploratory RCT of group interactive art therapy (AT) as an adjunctive treatment in chronic schizophrenia.

Method
The outcomes of 43 patients randomised to 12 sessions of AT were compared with those of 47 who received standard psychiatric care. Patients were assessed on a range of measures of symptoms, social functioning and quality of life at pre- and post treatment and six-months follow-up.

Results
Art therapy produced a statistically significant positive effect on negative symptoms (assessed by Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms) though had little and non-significant impact on other measures.

Conclusions
Limitations of the study included insufficient statistical power and a sub-optimal level of treatment. Nevertheless, the results were sufficiently promising to justify further research along these lines.

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1080/09638230701483111

Keywords:

Art therapy, schizophrenia, randomised trial

Departments, Centres and Research Units:

Social, Therapeutic & Community Engagement (STaCS) > Unit for Psychotherapeutic Studies

Dates:

DateEvent
August 2007Published

Funders:

Funding bodyFunder IDGrant Number
London Region NHS Executive Research and Development Directorate.UNSPECIFIED

Item ID:

3666

Date Deposited:

08 Oct 2010 14:21

Last Modified:

25 Mar 2021 05:55

Peer Reviewed:

Yes, this version has been peer-reviewed.

URI:

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/3666

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