Kristin R Krueger1, Jonathan W Murphy2, Andrea B Bink2. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Cook County Health and Hospital System, Chicago, IL, USA and. 2. Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA.
Abstract
Background: Improvisational theater exercises (improv) are used in various settings to improve mental health and medical outcomes. However, there is little documented evidence of the effectiveness of these interventions.Aims: We developed a short-term, group intervention that used improv exercises in a therapeutic manner to treat psychiatric patients. Methods: We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and five clinical outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, self-esteem, perfectionism and satisfaction with social roles) of this intervention in an outpatient setting. Participants were 32 patients with symptoms of anxiety and depression and who had variable exposure to psychiatric treatment. Results: In paired samples t-tests, participants demonstrated reduced symptoms of anxiety (t(31) = 4.67, p < 0.001) and depression (t(31) = 3.78, p = 0.001), and improved self-esteem (t(31)= -3.31, p = 0.002) following the intervention. There was a trend towards reduction of perfectionism (t(31) = 1.77, p = 0.087), but no substantial change in rated satisfaction with social roles. Effect sizes were medium for reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety.Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that a brief intervention based on improv exercises may provide a strong and efficient treatment for patients with anxiety and depression.
Background: Improvisational theater exercises (improv) are used in various settings to improve mental health and medical outcomes. However, there is little documented evidence of the effectiveness of these interventions.Aims: We developed a short-term, group intervention that used improv exercises in a therapeutic manner to treat psychiatricpatients. Methods: We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and five clinical outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, self-esteem, perfectionism and satisfaction with social roles) of this intervention in an outpatient setting. Participants were 32 patients with symptoms of anxiety and depression and who had variable exposure to psychiatric treatment. Results: In paired samples t-tests, participants demonstrated reduced symptoms of anxiety (t(31) = 4.67, p < 0.001) and depression (t(31) = 3.78, p = 0.001), and improved self-esteem (t(31)= -3.31, p = 0.002) following the intervention. There was a trend towards reduction of perfectionism (t(31) = 1.77, p = 0.087), but no substantial change in rated satisfaction with social roles. Effect sizes were medium for reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety.Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that a brief intervention based on improv exercises may provide a strong and efficient treatment for patients with anxiety and depression.
Entities:
Keywords:
Improv; alternative therapies; anxiety; depression; group interventions
Authors: Lee A Lindquist; Anna Liggett; Ruqayyah Muhammad; Anne Seltzer; Kwang-Youn A Kim; Becca Barish; Abby Wagner; Vanessa Ramirez-Zohfeld Journal: Gerontol Geriatr Med Date: 2021-05-25