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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05728086

Art Therapy to Address Hospital Clinician Burnout

A structured group art therapy intervention, comprising six 60 - 90-minute weekly workshops.

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Key information

Conditions

Burnout Anxiety Anxiety Disorders Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Burnout, Psychological Depression Mental Disorders Stress Stress, Psychological

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Barts Health NHS Trust

London, E13 8SP, United Kingdom

About this study

The CHArt group art therapy intervention builds on a 6-week art therapy group intervention piloted with Barts Health oncology and palliative care doctors (Tjasink, M. 2019). It incorporates elements of workshops delivered for staff support by Barts art therapists during the Covid-19 pandemic (Tjasink, M., Stevens, P. 2022).

The intervention is broadly informed by affective neuroscience and evolutionary psychology theories with an emphasis on compassion-focused and resource-oriented therapeutic practice. Whilst the intervention draws on diverse influences, it aligns with the principles of Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), an integrative, bio-physiological psychological model underpinned by evolutionary theory.

Intervention elements include psycho-education, individual art making, collaborative group art making, art making in pairs, exploring a range of art materials and techniques (including clay, paint, natural objects and non-traditional mark - making materials), art-based grounding exercises and reflective discussion.

The intervention manual was developed by the study's Chief Investigator with input from a group of three art therapy experts (Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) accredited art therapists working in National Health Service (NHS) medical contexts with experience of delivering art therapy - based staff support) and three experts by experience (Health Care professionals with experience of participating in art therapy - based staff support groups at work). Adherence to the intervention will be monitored through two adherence tools (therapist self reported and independent observer).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • • Healthcare professional employed in a patient facing clinical role by Barts Health NHS Trust or Barts Bank partners
  • 18 years or older
  • Willing and able to provide informed consent
  • Able to attend the group intervention sessions
  • Moderate to severe risk scored on any of the three MBI - HSS subscales or on the PSS 10:
  • emotional exhaustion score of ≥17, or
  • depersonalization score of ≥7, or
  • personal accomplishment score of ≤ 38 or
  • perceived stress (≥ 14)

Exclusion criteria

  • • Unwilling or unable to give consent
  • Diagnosed with or treated for a serious depressive condition, a personality disorder or psychosis in the past 12 months. (Self-reporting through screening.)
  • Attempted suicide or made plans to commit suicide in the past 12 months. (Self-reporting through screening.)
  • Individual does not provide direct patient care for Barts Health NHS Trust

Treatment and study plan

Group art therapy

Other

The intervention is a manualised programme of group art therapy based on a bio-psychosocial therapeutic model. The programme is made up of six 60 - 90-minute art therapy group sessions facilitated by an experienced HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) registered Art Therapists trained in the intervention.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in burnout element 'Emotional Exhaustion' assessed using the Emotional Exhaustion scale of The Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS)

    Time frame: Baseline [T1], post 6-week intervention / post 6-week wait [T2], 12 week post intervention follow up [T3]

    The MBI-HSS assesses three elements of burnout syndrome: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment. Each element is measured by a separate scale. The Emotional Exhaustion (EE) scale assesses feelings of being emotionally over-extended and exhausted at work. It includes 9 items which are scored on a 7-item Likert scale from 0 = never to 6 = every day. The scale has a score range of 0-54 with higher scores corresponding to greater experiences of burnout.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in burnout element 'depersonalisation' assessed using the Depersonalisation scale of The Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS)

    Time frame: Baseline [T1], post 6-week intervention / post 6-week wait [T2], 12 week post intervention follow up [T3]

    Depersonalisation scale of the MBI - HSS

    The 5-item Depersonalization (DP) scale assesses an emotionally distant / indifferent response toward patients. It includes 6 items which are scored on a 7-item Likert scale from 0 = never to 6 = every day. The scale has a score range of 0-30 with higher scores corresponding to greater experiences of burnout.

  2. Change in burnout element 'personal accomplishment' assessed using the Personal Accomplishment scale of The Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS)

    Time frame: Baseline [T1], post 6-week intervention / post 6-week wait [T2], 12 week post intervention follow up [T3]

    Personal Accomplishment (PA) scale assesses feelings of competence and achievement in work with people. It includes 8 items which are scored on a 7-item Likert scale from 0 = never to 6 = every day. The scale has a score range of 0-48 with lower scores corresponding to greater experiences of burnout.

  3. Change in anxiety assessed using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD 7)

    Time frame: Baseline [T1], post 6-week intervention / post 6-week wait [T2], 12 week post intervention follow up [T3]

    The GAD 7 assesses anxiety. It includes 7 items which are scored on a 4-item Likert scale from 0 = not at all to 3 = nearly every day. The scale has a score range of 0-21 with higher scores corresponding to greater levels of anxiety.

  4. Change in depression assessed using the Personal Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ 8)

    Time frame: Baseline [T1], post 6-week intervention / post 6-week wait [T2], 12 week post intervention follow up [T3]

    The PHQ 8 assesses severity of depression. It includes 8 items which are scored on a 4-item Likert scale from 0 = not at all to 3 = nearly every day. The scale has a score range of 0-24 with higher scores corresponding to greater severity of depression.

  5. Change in perceived stress assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)

    Time frame: Baseline [T1], post 6-week intervention / post 6-week wait [T2], 12 week post intervention follow up [T3]

    The PSS10 assesses perceived stress. It includes 10 items which are scored on a 5-item Likert scale from 0 = never to 4 = very often. The scale has a score range of 0-40 with higher scores corresponding to greater levels of perceived stress.

  6. CHArt Feedback Questionnaire

    Time frame: post 6-week intervention [T2]

    This is a participant experience feedback questionnaire. It includes 8 items on themes of perceived helpfulness, perceived behavioural change and attribution of change, barriers and enablers to attendance. Questions include multiple choice and follow - up free text elements. For example

    Question 6:

    Were there any barriers / challenges to attending?

    Yes, definitely; Yes, some; Not really; Not at all

    If so, what were they and how did you address them?

    If not, what made attendance possible for you?

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Barts & The London NHS Trust

Other

Collaborators

  • Queen Mary University of London

Registry information

Official study title

Art Therapy to Address Hospital Clinician Burnout and Psychosocial Distress: a Randomised Controlled Trial

Acronym: CHArt

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Feb 14, 2023
Registry last updated
Mar 15, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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