AUTHOR=Warran Katey , Smith Calum , Ugron Hanna , Blaga Oana , Ladegaard Nicolai Lund , Carstens Louise Frøkjær , Nicholls Lucy , Burton Alexandra , Zbranca Rarita , Ottow Mikkel , Fancourt Daisy , Fietje Nils 

TITLE=Implementing a singing-based intervention for postpartum depression in Denmark and Romania: a brief research report

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1249503

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2023.1249503

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=There is a burgeoning evidence-base that demonstrates the impact of the arts on our health, wellbeing, and health behaviours. However, few studies have focused on how to optimise implementation of these activities for different sociocultural contexts. Due to the increasing interest in scaling effective arts interventions as part of public health strategies, and in line with global goals of achieving health equity, this is an essential focus. Using the case study of a singing for post-partum depression (PPD) intervention with proven clinical effects, this brief research report explores implementation of an arts and health intervention that has been successful in the United Kingdom (‘Music and Motherhood’) for the new contexts of Silkeborg (Denmark) and Cluj (Romania). Data was collected from participants at all levels of the implementation structure including at local and management levels. The study draws on qualitative implementation data to explore participant experiences, including 1-2-1 interviews, written testimonies, meeting minutes, ethnographic reflections and focus groups, including data from 54 participants in total. We explore implementation and adaptation across five key themes: 1) Acceptability and feasibility; 2) Practical and structural barriers and enablers; 3) Adoption and sustainability; 4) Broader contextual factors affecting implementation and sustainability; and 5) Project structure and processes. Taken together, the themes demonstrate that arts interventions need to be adapted in culturally sensitive ways by stakeholders who have local knowledge of their environments. This research serves as an informative foundation for use by other researchers that aim to expand the reach and impact of arts-based interventions