Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of dance-movement therapy for adolescents with depression

BACKGROUND: The number of adolescents with depression has increased in mental health services over the past decade. New intervention options are needed for these patients. METHOD: Patients aged 13 to 17 years with depression are recruited from adolescent mental health services. Participants will be randomized into two groups. The treatment group will attend dance movement therapy for 12 weeks in addition to treatment as usual, while the control group will receive treatment as usual. The outcome measures include questionnaires and interviews assessing depression symptoms and body image. The primary outcome measures are the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-21) and the Young Person's Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation (YP-CORE). Additional measures include the Adolescent Depression Rating Scale (ADRS) and a body image scale. DISCUSSION: This study will provide information about the effectiveness of dance-movement therapy for adolescents with depression in a naturalistic environment. Variety in the choice of therapies may aid in quicker improvement and prevent prolonged depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This protocol was registrated 29.8.2022 at ClinicalTrials.gov. with identifier. Clinical trial number 07293806.