Effectiveness of a Mixed Model of Painting and Sculpture Art Intervention on Depression Symptoms in Pediatric Patients with Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: The literature has few clinical reports about the effectiveness of art-based interventions on depression in children with cancer. We examined the effectiveness of a mixed model of group painting therapy and sculpture on depression reduction among children with cancer. Materials and Methods: In this pre and post-clinical trial, 14 children aged 8–12 years previously diagnosed with cancer underwent group painting along with sculpture for one month and were followed up between August 2019 and September 2019. Results: The total depression score of the patients was reduced from 27.71 to 15.36 (P < 0.001). The children were happier at follow-up compared to baseline (0.5 vs. 1.50, P = 0.010). They were less scared (0.93 vs. 2.07; P = 0.000), slept better (1.07 vs. 2.00; P = 0.000), had a better time (0.07 vs. 1.29; P = 0.000), less likely to cry (0.79 vs. 1.43; P = 0.045), less likely to be sad (0.79 vs. 1.79; P = 0.007), felt that people like them more than before (0.70 vs. 0.93; P = 0.017), and it was easier for the children to start doing things (1.07 vs. 2.07; P = 0.003). However, no significant changes were found among children in being bothered by things, feelings about eating, feelings of happiness, feeling as other children, paying attention to usual activities, tiredness, feeling that something good is happening, feelings about previous activities, being happy, being quiet, and feeling loneliness. Conclusion: We showed that painting with sculpture is an effective technique to decrease the overall level of depression score and improve some aspects of happiness in children with cancer.