BurnoutCHArtNCT05728086
Art Therapy to Address Hospital Clinician Burnout
A study testing Group art therapy in people with Burnout and Anxiety, run by Barts & The London NHS Trust at 1 site in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
A structured group art therapy intervention, comprising six 60 - 90-minute weekly workshops. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- What is being tested?
- Group art therapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 131 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- 6 Mar 2023to 5 Mar 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- • 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
Show all 9Show fewer
- depersonalization score of ≥7, or
- personal accomplishment score of ≤ 38 or
- perceived stress (≥ 14)
Who cannot join
- • 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Art Therapy to Address Hospital Clinician Burnout and Psychosocial Distress: a Randomised Controlled Trial
A structured group art therapy intervention, comprising six 60 - 90-minute weekly workshops.
Read the detailed description
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).
- Conditions
- Burnout, Anxiety, Stress, Depression
- Being tested
- Group art therapy
- Keywords
- Art therapy, psychosocial distress, hospital clinicians, burnout
- Medical subject headings
- Burnout, Psychological, Anxiety Disorders, Depression
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Group art therapyOther
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group art therapy | Experimental | Participants randomised to the intervention group receive the group art therapy intervention shortly after baseline assessment. Adherence to the intervention will be checked via an adherence questionnaire completed by therapist delivering the intervention after each session. In addition, 20% of sessions will be observed by an independent researcher for adherence checking. Receives: Other: Group art therapy |
| waitlist control group | No intervention | Participants randomised to the waitlist control group will complete outcomes measures at baseline and at the end of a 6 week waiting period. They will then begin the intervention (1-2 weeks after the intervention group has finished). |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in burnout element 'Emotional Exhaustion' assessed using the Emotional Exhaustion scale of The Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS)
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.
Measured: Baseline [T1], post 6-week intervention / post 6-week wait [T2], 12 week post intervention follow up [T3]
Secondary outcomes (6)
Change in burnout element 'depersonalisation' assessed using the Depersonalisation scale of The Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS)
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.
Measured: Baseline [T1], post 6-week intervention / post 6-week wait [T2], 12 week post intervention follow up [T3]
Change in burnout element 'personal accomplishment' assessed using the Personal Accomplishment scale of The Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS)
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.
Measured: Baseline [T1], post 6-week intervention / post 6-week wait [T2], 12 week post intervention follow up [T3]
Change in anxiety assessed using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD 7)
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.
Measured: Baseline [T1], post 6-week intervention / post 6-week wait [T2], 12 week post intervention follow up [T3]
Change in depression assessed using the Personal Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ 8)
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.
Measured: Baseline [T1], post 6-week intervention / post 6-week wait [T2], 12 week post intervention follow up [T3]
Change in perceived stress assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)
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.
Measured: Baseline [T1], post 6-week intervention / post 6-week wait [T2], 12 week post intervention follow up [T3]
CHArt Feedback Questionnaire
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?
Measured: post 6-week intervention [T2]
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Feb 2023
- Study start6 Mar 2023
- Primary completion5 Mar 2024
- Study completion5 Mar 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for BurnoutStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Waitlist randomized controlled trial (RCT) design comprising an intervention group and a waitlist-control group
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 131 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Barts & The London NHS Trust
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Queen Mary University of London
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Stefan Priebe, Study chair, Queen Mary University of London
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05728086
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 316097
- Acronym
- CHArt
- Status last verified
- Mar 2024
- First submitted
- 1 Feb 2023
- Last updated
- 15 Mar 2024
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Tjasink, M., G. Soosaipillai (2019) Art therapy to reduce burnout in oncology and palliative care doctors: a pilot study.
Tjasink, M, Stevens, P. (2022). The innovative use of art psychotherapy with NHS clinicians in Jury, H. and Coles, A., 'Art Psychotherapy and Innovation: New Territories, Techniques and Technologies'. Jessica Kingsley, London: 83 - 103.
Maslach, C. et al. (2018). Maslach burnout inventory: manual. [Menlo Park, Calif.], Mind Garden.
Tjasink M, Carr CE, Bassett P, Soosaipillai G, Ougrin D, Priebe S. Art therapy to reduce burnout and mental distress in healthcare professionals in acute hospitals: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Public Health. 2025 Aug 3;3(2):e002251. doi: 10.1136/bmjph-2024-002251. eCollection 2025.
PubMed 40761359
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Mar 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Art Therapy to Address Hospital Clinician Burnout and Psychosocial Distress: a Randomised Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05728086
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CHArt / 316097
- Conditions
- Burnout, Anxiety, Stress, Depression
- Keywords
- Art therapy, psychosocial distress, hospital clinicians, burnout
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 131 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Barts & The London NHS TrustUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Queen Mary University of London
- Study start
- 6 Mar 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 5 Mar 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 5 Mar 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 14 Feb 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
A structured group art therapy intervention, comprising six 60 - 90-minute weekly workshops.
Detailed description
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).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Waitlist randomized controlled trial (RCT) design comprising an intervention group and a waitlist-control group
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group art therapy | Experimental | Other: Group art therapyParticipants randomised to the intervention group receive the group art therapy intervention shortly after baseline assessment. Adherence to the intervention will be checked via an adherence questionnaire completed by therapist delivering the intervention after each session. In addition, 20% of sessions will be observed by an independent researcher for adherence checking. |
| waitlist control group | No intervention | –Participants randomised to the waitlist control group will complete outcomes measures at baseline and at the end of a 6 week waiting period. They will then begin the intervention (1-2 weeks after the intervention group has finished). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- • Healthcare professional employed in a patient facing clinical role by Barts Health NHS Trust or Barts Bank partners
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- • Unwilling or unable to give consent
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Group art therapyThe 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. | Other | Group art therapy |
Primary outcome
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.
6 secondary outcomes
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
CHArt Feedback Questionnaire
Time frame: post 6-week intervention [T2]
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Mar 2024.
- BackgroundTjasink, M., G. Soosaipillai (2019) Art therapy to reduce burnout in oncology and palliative care doctors: a pilot study.
- BackgroundTjasink, M, Stevens, P. (2022). The innovative use of art psychotherapy with NHS clinicians in Jury, H. and Coles, A., 'Art Psychotherapy and Innovation: New Territories, Techniques and Technologies'. Jessica Kingsley, London: 83 - 103.
- BackgroundMaslach, C. et al. (2018). Maslach burnout inventory: manual. [Menlo Park, Calif.], Mind Garden.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 40761359Tjasink M, Carr CE, Bassett P, Soosaipillai G, Ougrin D, Priebe S. Art therapy to reduce burnout and mental distress in healthcare professionals in acute hospitals: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Public Health. 2025 Aug 3;3(2):e002251. doi: 10.1136/bmjph-2024-002251. eCollection 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Burnout
Not yet recruiting
Hand in Hand: Feasibility of a Compassion-Focused App to Support Parents of Children With Mental Health Problems
Physiological Conditions, Distress, Emotional
Active, not recruiting
Health enSuite Caregivers: an App-based Treatment for Distressed Caregivers of Persons With Moderate Dementia
Caregiver Burnout
Not yet recruitingObservational study
Relationship of Forward Head Posture With Burnout and Quality of Life
Forward Head Posture
Active, not recruiting
Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for the Mental Health of Healthcare Professionals
Occupational Stress or Workplace Stress, Burnout, Professionals
Active, not recruiting
Self-Help Plus (SH+) for Stress Reduction in Social Service Workers: A Pilot RCT
Stress, Psychological, Occupational, Stress, Psychological
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Stefan Priebe study chair
Queen Mary University of London
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Group art therapy in people with Burnout and Anxiety, run by Barts & The London NHS Trust at 1 site in United Kingdom.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Mar 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
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]). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05728086, which also lists 4 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Mar 2024.