Art and music may lift teen depression: creativity camp shows promise
NCT ID NCT07605975
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether an 8-day creativity camp could help 160 teens aged 12-17 with depression symptoms think more flexibly and feel more positive. The camp included various creative arts activities. Researchers measured changes in depression and anxiety scores using questionnaires.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Creativity Camp (8-day creative arts program)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-drug, fun way to ease depression symptoms in teens by boosting creativity and positive thinking.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with no control group, so results may not be generalizable. The camp is short, and any benefits might not last long-term.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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160 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2022
- Finished
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Aug 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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12 to 17 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * age 12-17 years * Phase 1: no clinical diagnosis required. * Phase 2: presence of at least "mild" depression symptoms as measured by a score of at least 12 on the parent-report Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) (completed in the screening form). * Phase 2, Summer 2025 East African cohort: The adolescent identifies as East African. * Phase 2, Summer 2025 Native American cohort: The adolescent identifies as Native American. Exclusion Criteria: * any MRI contraindications (e.g., claustrophobia, braces, pregnancy); Note: MRI exclusion is removed for Summer 2023 and 2025 cohorts since the neuroimaging has been removed from the protocol for those cohorts * neurodevelopmental disorder such as intellectual disability or moderate / severe autism, as indicated by parent report; * significant medical conditions that would interfere with participating in study activities; * currently active suicidal ideation, and unable to agree to an appropriate safety plan * history of significant neurological conditions that might confound MRI analyses (e.g., current and severe epilepsy, brain tumor). Note: this exclusion is removed for Summer 2023 and 2025 cohorts since they will not have MRI.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
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