The Impact of Performing Arts on Mental Health, Social Connection, and Creativity in University Students

Movin' & Groovin' for Wellness: A Drumming and Dancing Program to Support Well-being in NUS Students

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate whether the "Movin' & Groovin' for Wellness" (MGW) performing arts program is able to support mental, social, and emotional health in NUS students. It will also assess the program's impact on students' well-being. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Does participation in the program decrease depressive symptoms, stress levels and anxiety?
2. Does the program foster creative expression among participants?
3. Does the program foster social connections among participants?

Researchers compare the effects of the facilitated music and dance sessions (MGW program) to a Control group that does not participate in these activities. Participants are randomly assigned into either the Experimental (MGW) group or Control group.

Those in the Experimental group are randomly allocated to one of two subgroups, where participants either experience drumming or dancing sessions first (for 5 weeks), followed by the other activity (e.g., the only difference between subgroups is the order in which they experience the facilitated sessions). Both the drumming and dancing sessions are led by trained professionals. The sessions are held weekly for 10 weeks in dedicated performance rooms. Participants also complete questionnaires, and have the opportunity to participate in a focus group discussion to provide feedback about the program.

Control group participants complete the same questionnaires at the same time points without participating in the activities. The program aims to evaluate the effectiveness of music and dance in promoting mental health, social well-being, and creativity among university students.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be currently enrolled in NUS
• Be between the ages of 18-40 years old
• Be fluent (speak and write) in English
• Able to commit to attending the live sessions for the entire 10-week period
• Have normal or corrected-to-normal hearing and vision

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have been diagnosed with a neurological or hearing impairment, or a physical impairment that would prevent moving/dancing
• Are taking medicine to treat their mental health (as this would be a confound in the study)