Group cognitive analytic music therapy: a quasi-experimental feasibility study conducted in a high secure hospital

ABSTRACT

This study conducted a feasibility patient preference quasi-experimental study of group cognitive analytic music therapy (G-CAMT) for mentally disordered offenders. Participants either chose or were randomised to 16 sessions of manualised G-CAMT (N = 10) plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone (N = 10). Self-rated and staff-rated outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention and 8-weeks post-intervention. Residency was assessed at 2-year follow-up. Results indicate that G-CAMT was easily implemented; 9/10 participants completed G-CAMT and attendees had high satisfaction with the approach. Session attendance was high; 4/10 participants attended all sessions. At the 8-week follow-up, 3/9 G-CAMT participants had reliable reductions (i.e. statistically reliable pre to 8-week follow-up change results) in intrusive/possessive behaviours and fear of separation/abandonment. On the staff-rated outcome measure G-CAMT participants as a group were statistically significantly friendlier compared to TAU at 8-week follow-up (U = 0.50, p = 0.009, d = 1.92, CI 0.44 to 3.11). There were no differences between the arms in terms of residency outcomes at 2-year follow-up. The study is discussed in terms of G-CAMT’s theoretical grounding and high acceptability. The study is limited by its small sample size, but indicates the possibility of progressing onto a full trial.

KEYWORDS:

• Cognitive analytic therapy
• patient preference
• high secure hospital
• forensic music therapy
• schizophrenia

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.

Acknowledgments

Professor Helen Odell-Miller, Director of the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research at Anglia Ruskin University: Qualitative design supervisor.

Paul McCrone, Professor of Health Economics, King’s College London: Quantitative design supervisor.

Dr Gill McGauley, Consultant and Reader in Forensic Psychotherapy CNWL Foundation Trust and St George’s University of London: Forensic research advisor.

IRAS Sponsor: The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. Health Economics Department, King’s College, London.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interests.

Additional information

Funding

The implementation of this project was originally funded by the National Health Service, Invest to Innovate Fund, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

Notes on contributors

Stephen Kellett

Stephen Kellett is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist in the NHS and is the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Programme Director at the University of Sheffield.

Jo Hall

Jo Hall is a clinical psychologist in the NHS.

Stella Compton Dickinson

Dr Stella Compton Dickinson is a UK based HCPC registered music therapist, BACP, UKCP registered Cognitive Analytic Therapist and accredited Supervisor. She is author of The Clinician’s Guide to Forensic Music Therapy. Over twenty years’ in the NHS as Head of Arts Therapies and Clinical Research Lead she has lead in the development of integrated, evidence- based Music Therapy. Her research was awarded the 2016 Ruskin Medal for the most impactful doctoral research.