Trial reportBMJ open2026
Fighting for care: how can we better support people with multiple long-term conditions who are accessing community mental health groups? A qualitative interview study within a UK arts therapies trial.
Trial report in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveTo explore the impact of multiple long-term conditions (MTLCs) and a comorbid mental health condition on decision-making processes, attendance and engagement in NHS community-based therapy groups.
designQualitative in-depth interviews analysed using reflexive codebook analysis as part of a study within a trial.
settingSecondary community mental health teams from two UK sites.
participantsPurposive sample of 20 participants recruited to a randomised controlled trial of group therapies (arts therapies and counselling) holding a mental health diagnosis and self-reported as having at least one additional physical health condition.
resultsSix themes were constructed: (1) MLTCs influenced arts modality choices and goals; (2) importance of planning ahead to be organised; (3) the journey loomed over participants; (4) the impact of MLTCs on group attendance and participation; (5) the group was valued and important; (6) determination and fighting to get what I need.Decisions about arts modalities and group attendance were based on a self-perceived level of felt capability. It was important for participants to plan in advance and feel informed ahead of making commitments, enabling them to prepare and manage symptoms. Travelling to the groups was dreaded, and many participants required support with travel in order to attend. Managing symptoms during the journey and groups was challenging; however, participants had a strong determination to uphold the commitment to attend despite their difficulties, as the group was highly valued.
conclusionsMLTCs have a large impact on people's capacity to engage in community groups, requiring additional planning and effort. The scale of this impact is often not recognised. Despite this, the benefits of groups for people with MLTCs are especially important, including motivation to leave the house, opportunities for socialisation and a means of reaching one's own goals. Clinicians are recommended to accommodate the needs of MLTCs when designing community group interventions and consider multiple attendees with MLTCs in the group composition to improve attendance and group engagement. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN88805048.
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