Storytelling Through Music for Burnout

Overseen By Carolyn Phillips

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin

Disqualifiers: Previous STM intervention

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if "Storytelling Through Music," a form of music therapy, can improve the well-being of those working in homeless services, such as nurses and social workers. The six-week program includes storytelling, writing, self-care skills, and songwriting. Participants will meet in small groups, with sessions both online and in person. This trial suits individuals who have worked in homeless services in Austin/Travis County for at least six months and have computer and internet access. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative therapy methods that could enhance personal well-being.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the "Storytelling Through Music" intervention is safe?

Research has shown that Storytelling Through Music is a safe and well-tolerated approach. Music therapy, including this program, has been used in various settings, such as workplaces and mental health care, without major safety issues. Other studies with healthcare workers found that this approach improved emotional well-being and was practical and acceptable.

Overall, music interventions are known to enhance mental health by reducing stress and improving emotional well-being. No major reports of negative effects have emerged, suggesting that this treatment is generally safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

"Storytelling Through Music" is unique because it combines storytelling, reflective writing, self-care skills, and songwriting into a holistic approach to tackle burnout. Unlike traditional treatments that might focus solely on therapy or medication, this method engages participants creatively and socially, offering a new way to express emotions and build community. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it merges online and in-person experiences, allowing for flexibility and personal connection, which can be particularly effective in addressing burnout.

What evidence suggests that "Storytelling Through Music" is effective for improving well-being among homeless service providers?

Research has shown that storytelling with music can effectively reduce burnout and improve well-being. This trial will evaluate the "Storytelling Through Music" intervention, which combines storytelling, reflective writing, and music. Studies have found that such methods help people better understand and manage their emotions. In one study, participants experienced significant improvements in emotional well-being, with noticeable reductions in stress and burnout symptoms. Another review found that expressive arts methods, like this one, improved stress and emotional outcomes in 13 out of 14 studies. Additionally, music-based activities have been shown to lower feelings of stress and tiredness in similar situations. This suggests that storytelling through music could be a promising way to help those dealing with secondary traumatic stress. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Carolyn Phillips

Principal Investigator

University of Texas at Austin

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for nurses and social workers who provide services to the homeless. It aims to help those experiencing job-related stress, burnout, anxiety, compassion fatigue, or depression.

Inclusion Criteria

Employed in a homeless services organization in Austin/Travis County for at least 6 months

I am over 18 years old.

I am licensed as a nurse or social worker.

Exclusion Criteria

Previous participation in the STM intervention

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo a 6-week intervention called Storytelling Through Music, which includes storytelling, reflective writing, self-care skills, and song-writing in small groups.

6 weeks

Hybrid approach: online writing workshops and in-person share circles

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in anxiety, depression, self-compassion, loneliness, post-traumatic growth, emotion regulation, and professional quality of life.

4 weeks

1-month post-intervention assessment

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Storytelling Through Music

Trial Overview 'Storytelling Through Music' is an innovative intervention being tested over a 6-week period to see if it can improve well-being among homeless service providers facing secondary traumatic stress.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Storytelling Through Music Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Storytelling Through Music is a six-week intervention that utilizes storytelling, reflective writing, self-care skills, and song-writing. The intervention will be administered in small groups of 4-6 participants/group and with a hybrid approach. The writing workshops will occur online, and the share circle (stories and songs shared with the group) will occur in person. The group sizes will be kept small to ensure that each participant has adequate time to share their writing during the group sessions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Texas at Austin

Lead Sponsor

Trials

387

Recruited

86,100+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A survey of 64 board-certified music therapists revealed that the primary goals of music therapy in adolescent inpatient mental health settings include improving self-expression, self-esteem, socialization, and coping skills.

Common interventions used in these sessions are song discussion, lyric analysis, and songwriting, indicating a diverse approach tailored to individual patient needs and influenced by factors like diagnosis and therapist-patient rapport.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Survey of Music Therapy Methods on Adolescent Inpatient Mental Health Units. Johnson, K., Heiderscheit, A.[2019]

The paper outlines specific treatment fidelity strategies for a music-based intervention trial involving young children with cancer and their parents, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and enhancing the reliability of behavioral interventions.

It identifies challenges such as standardizing live music delivery and managing participant interactions, which are crucial for ensuring the effectiveness and validity of the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementing NIH Behavior Change Consortium Treatment Fidelity Recommendations in a Multi-Site Randomized Controlled Trial of an Active Music Engagement Intervention for Young Children with Cancer and Parents. MacLean, JA., Stegenga, KA., Henley, AK., et al.[2023]

A pilot study involving 13 youth aged 12 to 16 showed that participation in 5 daily music workshops focused on storytelling through music led to themes of empowerment and accomplishment, suggesting a positive impact on self-concept.

Although the quantitative measures of self-esteem and self-efficacy did not show significant statistical changes, the qualitative feedback indicates that music-based interventions may benefit youth mental health and warrant further research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Songwriting and Youth Self-Concept. Miao, S., Stewart, WA.[2022]

The study evaluated the feasibility of a multi-center trial on improvisational music therapy (IMT) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), involving 15 participants aged 4 to 6 years, and found that while some aspects like session attendance in low-intensity and control conditions were acceptable, recruitment and attendance in the high-intensity group were lower than expected.

Safety measures and treatment fidelity were satisfactory, indicating that the study procedures were generally safe and feasible, but the findings highlight the need for improved recruitment strategies to enhance participation in future trials.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of a Trial on Improvisational Music Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Geretsegger, M., Holck, U., Bieleninik, Ł., et al.[2018]

A 6-session Recreational Music-making (RMM) protocol significantly reduced burnout and negative mood states in 75 first-year nursing students, indicating its effectiveness in improving mental well-being during their education.

The study suggests that implementing this RMM protocol could lead to substantial cost savings for nursing programs and hospitals, potentially saving $16,800 annually for nursing programs and $322,000 for acute care hospitals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Recreational music-making: an integrative group intervention for reducing burnout and improving mood states in first year associate degree nursing students: insights and economic impact. Bittman, BB., Snyder, C., Bruhn, KT., et al.[2006]

In a study of 239 music therapists, no significant correlation was found between demographic factors (like hours worked, years of experience, and type of institution) and levels of burnout, suggesting that these factors may not predict occupational stress in this field.

Despite the overall low correlation, a significant portion of respondents reported moderate to high levels of burnout, particularly among those with more than 5 years of experience, highlighting the need for preventive measures to address issues like insufficient pay and lack of support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Factors related to occupational stress or burnout among music therapists. Oppenheim, L.[2019]

A review of 14 studies, including 10 randomized controlled trials, found that music interventions in workplaces can positively influence psychological factors, communication, and cognitive performance, particularly among students and medical personnel.

The findings suggest potential economic benefits from implementing music therapy in occupational settings, but future research should focus on larger sample sizes and diverse professional groups to strengthen the evidence base.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music in the workplace: A narrative literature review of intervention studies. Raglio, A., Oddone, E., Morotti, L., et al.[2019]

A critical review of 36 articles over the past decade revealed that while music therapy is popular among practitioners for helping individuals with trauma, the theoretical justifications for its effectiveness often lack a solid scientific basis.

The study identified four distinct approaches to using music in trauma therapy—stabilizing, entrainment, expressive, and performative—suggesting that tailored music methods can enhance therapeutic outcomes and calling for future research to better connect theory with practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music, Rhythm and Trauma: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis of Research Literature. McFerran, KS., Lai, HIC., Chang, WH., et al.[2020]

There is a significant lack of quantitative research on the effects of music therapy for individuals with mental illnesses, despite its potential to treat various clinical populations.

This study analyzes high-quality research methods from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to propose improved methodologies for future music therapy research, aiming to strengthen the evidence base and enhance treatment for mental health patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quantitative comparison of cognitive behavioral therapy and music therapy research: a methodological best-practices analysis to guide future investigation for adult psychiatric patients. Silverman, MJ.[2019]

In a study involving 133 psychiatric inpatients, assertiveness music therapy showed higher attendance rates and was perceived as more helpful compared to a no music assertiveness condition.

While there were no significant differences in quality of life or locus of control scores between groups, participants in the assertiveness conditions reported slightly better outcomes than those in the music no assertiveness group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a single-session assertiveness music therapy role playing protocol for psychiatric inpatients. Silverman, MJ.[2019]

A study involving 150 participants found that specially designed music therapy programs significantly reduced symptoms of burnout after 5 weeks, with effects lasting over time.

The same music therapy approach also showed significant effectiveness in treating depression and dysthymia, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic intervention for mental health issues.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music programs designed to remedy burnout symptoms show significant effects after five weeks. Brandes, V., Terris, DD., Fischer, C., et al.[2022]

Music therapy can significantly help pediatric oncology patients by addressing physical, social, and psychological needs, such as reducing pain and anxiety, and decreasing reliance on pain medication.

It promotes social interaction and emotional expression, enhancing relationships with healthcare providers and family, which is crucial for patients undergoing long-term treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy research and applications in pediatric oncology treatment. Standley, JM., Hanser, SB.[2017]

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-burnout-professional-6-2024-102b1

Storytelling Through Music for Burnout · Info for Participants Unlike standard treatments, it uses music to create a therapeutic narrative, which may help reduce symptoms of burnout by tapping into emotional and ...

2. nursing.utexas.edu nursing.utexas.edu/news/storytelling-through-music-intervention-improve-psychosocial-well-being

Storytelling Through Music: An Intervention to Improve ... A six-week intervention that combines storytelling, reflective writing, self-care skills, and music to address the workplace emotions related to caring for ...

3. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/340573592_Storytelling_Through_Music_A_Multidimensional_Expressive_Arts_Intervention_to_Improve_Emotional_Well-Being_of_Oncology_Nurses

A Multidimensional Expressive Arts Intervention to Improve ... The purpose of this pilot study was to implement a novel intervention, Storytelling Through Music, and examine the effects on depression, ...

4. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jan.14043

Systematic Review: Expressive arts interventions to ... Improved outcomes were found in 13 of 14 studies reviewed and the greatest improvements were seen in burnout, stress, and emotional outcomes.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9619252/

The Use of Music to Manage Burnout in Nurses: A Systematic ... Participants in the intervention group reported a significant reduction in perceived stress and fatigue severity scores at weeks 8 and 12; and significant ...

6. mmd.iammonline.com mmd.iammonline.com/index.php/musmed/article/download/866/603

Storytelling through music to facilitate meaning reconstruction ... Recent studies have shown increased rates of depression among nurses and physicians [1], and increased rates of suicide in nurses compared to ...

7. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/08901171221105862

The Use of Music to Manage Burnout in Nurses Music interventions have been shown to positively impact the mental health of adults by enhancing emotional wellbeing, decreasing stress levels, ...