Art Therapy Intervention Research Articles

Bringing Art to Life: Social and Activity Engagement through Art in Persons Living with Dementia

ABSTRACT Objectives The Bringing Art to Life (BATL) program was created as an art therapy intervention to increase social engagement, intergenerational engagement, and creative expression among persons living with dementia (PWD) in an adult day service. This is an evaluation of BATL program efficacy. Methods A modified behavioral observation tool was used to quantify meaningful engagements as recorded in ethnographic field notes and test the hypotheses that: 1) engagements increase across art therapy sessions, and 2) engagements were more social than activity or art related. Results The increase in engagement across session was not significant. However, social engagements (M = 9.61, SD 4.6) were more prevalent than art engagements (M = 5.23, SD = 3.1) in each session (t(99) = 9.52,). A thematic analysis of social interactions recorded in the ethnographic field notes revealed themes related to reminiscence. Conclusions The quantitative and qualitative data supported the BATL program as effective in engaging participants in social interaction and art activities. Specifically, quantitative data showed participants were engaged in conversations around reminiscence and discussion of creative expression with students. Clinical Implications Intergenerational social interaction between PWD and college students is a critical and meaningful part of the BATL program, and the intervention created a safe space with focused activity through engagement with art, and this facilitated PWD in self-expression, including humor, advice, and legacy.

Using mobile brain/body imaging to advance research in arts, health, and related therapeutics.

The uses of mobile brain/body imaging (MoBI) are expanding and allow for more direct study of the neurophysiological signals associated with behavior in psychotherapeutic encounters. Neuroaesthetics is concerned with the cognitive and neural basis of art appreciation, and scientific correlations are being made in the field that might help to clarify theories claimed in the creative arts therapies. Yet, most neuroaesthetics studies are confined to the laboratory and do not propose a translation for research methods and clinical applications. The creative arts therapies have a long history of clinical success with various patient populations and will benefit from increased scientific explanation to support intervention strategies. Examining the brain dynamics and motor behaviors that are associated with the higher complex processes involved in artistic expression offers MoBI as a promising instrumentation to move forward in linking ideas from neuroaesthetics to the creative arts therapies. Tracking brain dynamics in association with behavioral change allows for more objective and quantitative physiological monitors to evaluate, and together with subjective patient reports provides insight into the psychological mechanisms of change in treatment. We outline a framework that shows how MoBI can be used to study the effectiveness of creative arts therapy interventions motivated by the 4E approach to cognition with a focus on visual art therapy. The article illuminates how a new partnership among the fields of art therapy, neuroscience, and neuroaesthetics might work together within the 4E/MoBI framework in efforts to advance transdisciplinary research for clinical health populations.

The Effects of Group Art Therapy on the Primary Family Caregivers of Hospitalized Patients with Brain Injuries in South Korea.

This study examined the effects of group art therapy on depression, burden, and self-efficacy in primary family caregivers of patients with brain injuries. This was a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group and a pre- and post-test design. This study was carried out in one national rehabilitation hospital targeting 41 primary family caregivers of patients with brain injuries. Group art therapy intervention was carried out three days per week comprising 12 sessions over four consecutive weeks. The experimental group (n = 20) received group art therapy, whereas the control group (n = 21) did not. We used a time difference method to minimize the risk of contaminating the control group by sampling sequentially. For depression, although there was a significant difference after the intervention (t = 3.296, p = 0.004), the mean difference score was not statistically significant between the experimental group and the control group (t = 0.861, p = 0.395). The experimental group showed a significantly greater decrease in burden (t = 2.462, p = 0.020) and significantly greater improvement in self-efficacy (t = −6.270, p < 0.001) than the control group. Group art therapy may be an effective nursing intervention for primary family caregivers of patients with brain injuries.

The Use Of Art Therapy In Overcoming Problems With The Psyche

The research paper highlights the effective methods and means of treating mental and physical health problems of a person using different directions of art therapy, using Art therapy treatment method.

Chinese Flower and Bird Painting: A New Form of Art Therapy for Depression

Depression is a complex psychological disorder. Although psychological counseling and traditional Western art therapy have obtained robust results in the diagnosis and treatment of depression, they are not well accepted in China due to cultural differences. Chinese flower and bird painting has been favored in China and beyond. It is of considerable significance to studying the auxiliary treatment of depression by using Chinese flower and bird painting. First of all, during observation of the painting style and works of patients with different severities of depression, such phenomena as broken strokes, roughness at the end of the painting brush, stroke discontinuity, and uneven breath are noted. These signs reflect impatience and lack of control in patients with depression. Subsequently, a three-stage Chinese flower and bird painting art therapy intervention focusing on breathing training to improve ink brush control is established, and this adjuvant art therapy was applied to 56 people with mild and moderate depression. Experimental results show that, via a 24-week Chinese flower and bird painting art therapy intervention, the observation group has a greater decline in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) scores than the control group ( p &lt; .05). The study on electroencephalogram (EEG) shows that The normal rate of brain waves of the observation group in the middle and late stages of treatment and after treatment is 73%, significantly higher than 32% in the control group. This research shows that Chinese flower and bird painting can be used as a new and effective adjuvant treatment for depression in line with Chinese characteristics and is worthy of in-depth research.

A pilot study of arts therapy techniques to evoke emotional states in forensic patients

There is little evidence on the effectiveness of arts therapy interventions in forensic settings. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of arts therapy in evoking emotional vulnerability in forensic patients. Participants received drama, art or psychomotor therapy. For each therapy, we used a 5-session protocol that consisted of an introduction session, an assessment session, an intervention session that deliberately aimed to evoke emotional vulnerability, a regular intervention session, and a wrap-up session. Emotional vulnerability was assessed with the Mode Observation Scale and the Schema Mode Inventory, which is a self-report. Participants showed a significant increase in emotional vulnerability in both intervention sessions. The self-report ratings indicated that there was no significant change in vulnerable emotions. Our hypothesis was only partially supported. The findings provide some support for the effectiveness of arts therapy interventions in forensic patients.

Bonsai as a group art therapy intervention among traumatized youth in KwaZulu-Natal.

Bonsai can be used as an art therapy tool during psychodynamic therapeutic interventions maintenance of good mental health. Bonsai is generally considered to be relaxing and is practiced by many to relieve stress and as an expression of art. The aim was to establish bonsai as an art therapy tool to overcome trauma. Fifteen isiZulu‐speaking traumatized youths in a remote area in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa participated in a qualitative study that investigated their narratives around experienced trauma and sense of hopelessness. Materials in the form of bonsai, tools, wire, and pots were supplied, and six sessions were held. Results indicated that the participants experienced an improvement in their mental state, which was attributed by them to the practice of the art of bonsai. Bonsai can be beneficial as a healing medium mental health tool when employed as art therapy and can be promoted in a group setting in potential rehabilitation situations.

The Effects of Group Art Therapy on Reducing Psychological Stress and Improving the Quality of Life in Iranian Newcomer Children (Les effets de l’art-thérapie de groupe sur la réduction du stress psychologique et l’amélioration de la qualité de vie d’enfants nouveaux arrivants iraniens)

This study examines the effects of group art therapy on reducing psychological stress and improving the quality of life in Iranian child immigrants and refugees in order to bring cost-effective and accessible solutions to vulnerable communities. A quantitative study was conducted in an Iranian school in Montreal with 10 Iranian immigrant children aged 8 to 12 with no mental health diagnosis reported. Psychological stress of participants and their quality of life were assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised questionnaires (SCL-90-R), the Revidierter Kinder Lebensqualitätsfragebogen questionnaire (KINDL-R), and measure of the cortisol level in their saliva samples, before the intervention, after 10 weeks of group art therapy, and at the four-week follow-up. The paired t-tests showed a significant difference in the scores for PSS, SCL-90-R, and KINDL-R before the beginning and after the end of 10 art therapy sessions. In addition, the paired t-tests showed that the reduction in the stress level remained statistically significant even after four weeks of finishing the art therapy intervention. Although cortisol levels did not decrease during the last session, they were significantly lower in comparison to those before the start of the intervention.

اثربخشی نقاشی درمانی بر مشکلات رفتاری دانش آموزان 12-10 ساله

Background and Objective: Children with behavioral disorders may be exposed to various harmful effects on their health and well-being in the long run. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of therapeutic painting on behavioral problems among 10-12 years old children. Materials and Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test. The statistical population of the study included 950 elementary school students in the city of Gonbad-e-Kavus in the academic year 2017-18 which were 950 children. In a multi-stage random sampling, 60 students were selected and categorized into two experimental and control groups. Martin's Art Therapy intervention was conducted for the experimental group, but no intervention was performed in the control group and the Rutter's Behavioral Questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using one-way covariance analysis via SPSS software version 20. Results: The mean (SD) age was 10.4 (1.6) years old in the experimental group and the mean 10.6 (1.7) in the control group. The mean (SD) score of behavioral problems in the experimental group was 10.5 (7.9) in the pretest, which decreased to 5.7 (4.4) in the post-test (P<0.01). However, the mean (SD) score of behavioral problems was 10.6 (6.3) in the pretest and varied to 10.5 (6.8) in the post-test, which was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The study showed that therapeutic painting led to reduction of students' behavioral problems.

ВИКОРИСТАННЯ ЗАСОБІВ АРТ-ТЕРАПІЇ У ФОРМУВАННІ ЕМОЦІЙНОЇ СТІЙКОСТІ ДІТЕЙ ДОШКІЛЬНОГО ВІКУ

Progress of science and technique, newest technologies, created in the world not only new possibilities, and also and new difficulties. The alarm level considerably increased yet and through a world pandemic to the coronaviruses. Last days in society spreads an idea about importance of forming the personal psychical and emotional health, beginning from preschool age, as bases of becoming of personality, the most valuable achievement of that is emotional prosperity, are mortgaged exactly in childhood. The purpose of the article consists in describing the problem of forming the emotional firmness of preschool children by art-therapy and maintenance the psychical health of children as a major factor of personality development. Art is the unique type of human activity that represents reality in certainly-perceptible offenses, combining two opposite worlds: the world of fantasy and reality. The first mentions about facilities of the art-therapy treatment was found, possibly, in the days of existence of primitive man. It is important to emphasize that a main task to the art-therapy is not developing creative flairs, but achievement of therapeutic purpose. Analysing potential using of art-therapy in preschool establishments of education with the aim of forming of emotional stability for children, the special attention displaces on the variety of forms of the realization, such as: music-therapy, fairy-tale-therapy, puppet-therapy, painting-therapy, photo-therapy, physical-therapy, drama-therapy. Application of methods of therapy by an art on employments provides development of creative potential of children, enriches the emotional sphere of preschool children, deepens their world view, activates imagination and thinking of children. Art-therapy helps children to find and understand itself, successfully to adapt oneself new environment, be able to influence relationships with children, teachers, parents. Using art-therapy methods in an educational process assists forming of the personality all-round developed and emotionally stability. The prospects for further researches in this area we see in determining the most effective art-therapeutic technologies for individual development and forming sustainable emotional well-being of preschool children.

Effectiveness of group art therapy for mothers of children with disabilities

The present study quantitatively examined the effectiveness of a group art therapy intervention using four standardized measurements assessing parenting stress, perceived stress, depression, and perceived social support. A total of 40 participants from multiple regions across Korea were included, and mothers in the art therapy intervention group (AG: n = 20) participated in 6 sessions of 100 min in length. The results of the statistical analysis showed significant differences between the two groups in parenting stress, perceived stress, and depression with those in the AG reporting a greater decrease in parenting stress, perceived stress, and depression than those in the control group (CG). In terms of perceived social support, no significant difference was found between the AG and the CG. Overall findings support the effectiveness of the group art therapy intervention in enhancing psychological well-being of Korean mothers of children with disabilities.

An evaluation of a developmental individual differences relationship-based (DIR®)- creative arts therapies program for children with autism

Both developmental, individual-differences, relationship-based (DIR®) and creative arts therapy (CAT) intervention methods have demonstrated positive effects for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, they have not been evaluated in combination. The study evaluated whether a DIR®-based CAT program met its stated goals to stimulate individualized social-emotional growth for children with ASD. A summative, longitudinal program evaluation research design was used to examine the program’s fidelity and outcomes. The evaluation included assessments for pre- and post-test quantitative standardized measures for data collection and analysis. The study also collected data from treatment logs to document the fidelity to the treatment model. The study was conducted in a non-profit, parent-founded private day school in a large city on the East Coast of the United States. Twenty one students (age 5–21 years old) participated in a comprehensive DIR®-based CAT program compromising weekly individual and group-based dance, music, and art therapy sessions across six months. The study found moderate evidence supporting the proposition that children who participated in a DIR®-based creative arts therapy program experienced increased and improved social/emotional skills. Implications of this program evaluation for future research and therapeutic service for individuals with ASD will be discussed.

An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Arts Therapies Interventions on Measures of Quality of Life and Wellbeing: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study in Primary Schools.

BackgroundOver the last decades there has been a change in the way schooling is perceived recognizing that children’s learning is closely linked to children’s health. Children spend most of their time at school, which is often the place where problems are identified and interventions are offered, not only for treatment but also prevention. Embedding arts therapies into the educational system may help address children’s emerging needs and have a positive impact on their wellbeing.MethodsA pilot cross-over randomized controlled design was employed to investigate the effectiveness of an arts therapies intervention on a series of child- and teacher-reported outcome measures, specifically, health related quality of life (assessed using a HRQOL scale; EQ-5D-Y), wellbeing and life functioning (assessed using the child outcome rating scale; CORS), emotional and behavioral difficulties (assessed using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire; SDQ), as well as duration of sleep (assessed using Fitbits). Sample size calculations for future large-scale studies were also performed, and the sustained impact of the intervention was evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up. The pluralistic theoretical and therapeutic framework of this intervention was informed by a systematic review on school-based arts therapies interventions and is presented in detail in the study protocol. Participants were 62 children with mild emotional and behavioral difficulties.ResultsImprovements in HRQOL and CORS were greater in those engaged in the arts therapies intervention than the control groups and were maintained at the follow-up stages. Significant improvements were only found for duration of sleep (P = 0.002) and SDQ (P = 0.008). Minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) as defined in the published protocol were found for CORS, SDQ and duration of sleep, but not HRQOL.DiscussionFindings indicate that the arts therapies interventions were having a clinically significant effect on life functioning, duration of sleep, emotional and behavioral difficulties. Findings also indicate a small effect size for health related quality of life, suggesting the intervention was having a small positive effect on this outcome measure. The study indicates that all outcome measures assessed here would be suitable for inclusion in a larger randomized controlled study utilizing these arts therapies interventions, and that a sample size of 225 participants would be required if these outcome measures were used.

Arts Therapies Interventions and Their Outcomes in the Treatment of Eating Disorders: Scoping Review Protocol.

Arts therapies (AsTs) are considered a valuable intervention for people with eating disorders, however the range of research studies and the comparison between the types of arts therapies are unknown. The goal of the future scoping review is to explore the therapeutic outcomes addressed by arts therapists in research studies on people with eating disorders and compare the different types of arts-based interventions. This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Included will be research studies and sources oriented towards people with eating disorders of all ages and AsTs of any type (art therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, dance/movement therapy, and expressive therapies). There is no language/publication period limitation. The following databases will be searched: CINAHL Plus, EMBASE, MEDLINE (OvidSP), ProQuest Central, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Sources of unpublished studies and grey literature will include Google Scholar, MedNar, clinical trials, and current controlled trials. Titles/abstracts and full texts of studies will be assessed against the inclusion criteria, and the data extracted by two independent reviewers. Based on the results, we will compare the types of AsTs according to the research designs, country/settings, intervention methods/materials, adverse effects reported, and therapeutic outcomes related to AsTs.

The Art Therapy Experiences of Patients and Their Family Members in Hospice Palliative Care.

In this study, the researchers closely investigated the psychosocial problems faced by terminal cancer patients and their family members in hospice palliative care units. The investigators conducted four sessions of art therapy intervention programs for the terminal cancer patients and their family members, carried out in-depth interviews about the influence of the cancer experience on their family function and quality of life, and analyzed their experiences using grounded theory methodology. After providing autonomous written informed consent, six pairs of terminally ill cancer patients and their family members, accounting for a total of 17 participants with the inclusion of additional family members who took part sporadically, took part in the art therapy intervention and interviews. The raw data, in the form of verbatim records, were analyzed according to the procedures of grounded theory (open, axial, and selective coding). Through these processes, a total of 154 concepts, 56 subcategories, and 13 categories were identified. Families were classified into four types according to their family function, quality of life, and attitude toward death. Though the art therapy intervention, patients and their family members experienced three stages over time. This research focused on essential aspects of the family relationships and the art therapy experiences of terminal cancer patients and their family members through an art therapy intervention in the context of hospice palliative care. Based on these observations, the researchers constructed a theoretical rationale for art therapy interventions delivered to patients and their family members in the process of hospice palliative care.

Applying art therapy in improving resilience in child victims of domestic violence

Domestic violence experienced by children make them more prone to emotional, behavior, adaptation and mental health problems. Some researches show that children with high resiliency are able to develop a positive attitude, perspective and adaptability despite a history of violence. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of CBT Art Therapy intervention to increase the resiliency of children expose to domestic violence. The method used in this research is single case single-subject experiment ABA design. Resilience measurement instruments used in this research are Quotient Test (RQT) and resilience behavior observation sheet. Data were analyzed through visual analysis and descriptive data analysis. The results showed an increasing score in RQT (27 points) as well as the intensity of resilience behavior and positive changes in the use of color, quality and theme of the artwork. Keywords: art therapy, resilience, child victims of domestic violence, single case single-subject experiment

Protocol for the REPAT study: role of emotional processing in art therapy for breast cancer palliative care patients

IntroductionPatients with breast cancer (BC) cope with depression which is linked to functional limitations in survivorship and to physical symptoms. Pain and fatigue are prominent symptoms that affect the well-being...

Group Art Therapy Intervention Case Study for First Year Graduate International Students with Adjustment Difficulties

Group Art Therapy Intervention Case Study for First Year Graduate International Students with Adjustment Difficulties

The cognitive and socioemotional effects of a short-term light painting intervention

We investigated the cognitive and socioemotional effects of a light painting intervention, which is a new type of creative arts therapy. Participants were 60 university students, 30 of whom were assigned to the light painting (LP) group and attended 5 light painting sessions for 1 hour every other day, and 30 of whom were assigned to the control group and engaged in classroom self-study on the same schedule. Both groups completed a spatial orientation task and the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule before and after the intervention. Compared to the control group, the LP group showed significant improvement in speed of performing the spatial orientation task. Moreover, the LP group reported increases in imagination, creativity, emotional and mental health, and social skills. Our findings provide preliminary empirical evidence supporting the positive effect of LP in some cognitive and socioemotional domains, and indicate that LP could be a promising creative arts therapy intervention for treating psychiatric disorders.

Art Therapy in a Palliative Care Unit: Symptom Relief and Perceived Helpfulness in Patients and Their Relatives

ContextCreative arts therapies aim to expand conventional palliative care interventions by making clinical care more holistic. ObjectivesThe objective of the present study was to evaluate the benefits of an art therapy intervention in a tertiary hospital palliative care unit, directly in adult cancer inpatients and indirectly in their relatives. MethodsWe evaluated the intensity of pain, anxiety, depression, and well-being using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale before and after the first, third, and fifth art therapy sessions. After the third and fifth sessions, perceived helpfulness was assessed via a questionnaire developed by the palliative care team, combining open-ended questions and a checklist. We categorized the narrative data into three predetermined types: generally helpful (some positive experience), helpfulness related to a dyadic relationship (patient-art therapist), and helpfulness related to a triadic relationship (patient-image-art therapist). ResultsWe observed a significant reduction in anxiety, depression, and pain as well as a significant increase in well-being at each of the time points evaluated. Ninety-eight percent of the patients considered the art therapy helpful, which could be categorized as generally helpful in 54.8%, related to a triadic relationship in 32.9%, and to a dyadic relationship in 12.3%. Relatives gave similar opinions regarding the effects on patients and, in addition, reported an indirect helpful effect for themselves. The most frequently selected experiences from the checklist were feeling calm, being entertained, and expressing and communicating emotions. ConclusionThis art therapy intervention was beneficial in reducing symptom intensity. Almost all the participants directly or indirectly involved in the creative art process considered it helpful. They reported a wide variety of sensory, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual experiences.