Evaluation of long- and short-term art therapy interventions in an integrative care setting for military service members with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Background: Program evaluations can serve as a doorway to research in the creative arts therapies. This study provides findings from analyses of participant feedback on short- and long- term art therapy services for military service members with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods: Data for the study included feedback surveys from 204 service members who received art therapy services as part of treatment at an integrative care setting.Results: The results indicate that long-term art therapy resulted in higher satisfaction with treatment. Art therapy helped most with developing a sense of self after injury, experiencing positive emotions, processing trauma, and reducing feelings of guilt, grief, and loss. There were no statistically significant differences in outcomes based on rank or severity of TBI, but art therapy services were found to be related to improved symptoms for service members with longer times in service.Implications: The feedback from evaluation helps identify potential areas for further research on how art therapy addresses issues of identity, time in service and experiences of emotions as a result of post-traumatic stress and TBI. Evaluation provides directions for further clinical treatment, and yields data on improving quality of care.