Abstract
Objective: Art as a therapy helps in reparation and recovery. The aim of this study was to see the response of the cancer patients and their carers residing in Bangladesh towards art therapy and the perceived effect of art therapy on their physical and psychological condition. Method: The study was a record review study conducted through a cross-sectional descriptive method from July to November 2018. Along with the cancer patients, their immediate carers were enrolled in this study since patients and their carers both suffer from the distress that comes with the diagnosis of cancer. In-depth interviews and focused group discussions of art therapy were conducted with our study population at BPSCF and BSMMU. Findings: After art therapy, there was an improvement in sensory perception and self-perception, physical and psychological condition, communication and social skills and helped in more personal integration and built stronger insight among the patients and carers. Majority of the participants of art therapy felt good and wanted to continue art therapy. Significance of results: The results of this study will help to create awareness among the community about the importance of psychotherapies like art therapy in the life of the cancer patients and their carers. Introducing the concept of art therapy will also help the public health practitioners to improvise palliative care services in Bangladesh in a very cost-effective approach.
Highlights
IntroductionThe repressed feelings may include anger, sadness, envy and fear for upsetting the near ones [4]
The aim of this study was to see the response of the cancer patients and their carers residing in Bangladesh towards art therapy and the perceived effect of art therapy on their physical and psychological condition
All the patients having cancer who were admitted to the palliative wards of Bangladesh Palliative and Supportive Care Foundation (BPSCF) and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from January to February in 2018 and their immediate carers who stayed with the patients in the hospital or foundation, participating in the art therapy sessions named “Healing through Art” conducted by BPSCF were included in this study
Summary
The repressed feelings may include anger, sadness, envy and fear for upsetting the near ones [4] It allows expressing positive feelings like hope, beauty or tenderness [4]. In Bangladesh, 12.7 million deaths accounted for cancer leading to a need for palliative care to reduce suffering and disability worldwide [6]. A study done in 2011 with art therapists and service users in UK showed that among 55 service users (adults with cancer), 92% of which agreed that it benefited coping, provided new perspectives, facilitated expression of feelings and assisted distraction from worries [8]. This study will give a lead to the theoretical formation of art therapy in Bangladesh context
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