Outcomes and experiences of music workshops for adolescents with depression and anxiety: An exploratory noncontrolled trial in Bogotá

Objective: Adolescents frequently experience mental distress. However, there is little research on community activities that help adolescents recover from depression and anxiety. This study investigated the outcomes and experiences of music workshops for helping adolescents overcome anxiety and/or depression. Results: Thirty-four participants aged 15 and 16 years were recruited from a cohort study of adolescents with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression and invited to participate in a musical education and practice workshop consisting of five weekly sessions. At the beginning and end of the workshops, symptoms of anxiety and depression were self-rated on the GAD-7 and PHQ-8. Experiences were assessed on a brief questionnaire with open-ended questions. The average attendance of groups was 86%, but only 56% of participants attended all five sessions of the workshops. The symptom levels did not significantly change during the intervention. Experiences were largely positive. Participants appreciated the interactions in the group and the learning of new skills. Some criticized the workshops as too short and found the logistics of attending difficult. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN50583823. Date Applied 18/03/2022.