Art Therapy Research Articles

Progress of systematic psychological interventions in elderly patients with femoral fractures: A comprehensive review

This review aims to gain a deeper understanding of the psychological state of elderly patients with femoral fractures and provide more theoretical and practical support for clinical treatment and care. Through a literature analysis, we found that elderly patients with femoral fractures face various psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and social isolation. The application of systematic nursing interventions in clinical practice, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness therapy, family therapy, art therapy, interpersonal therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and relaxation training, has yielded significant results. Systematic psychological interventions can improve the psychological state and quality of life of elderly patients with femoral fractures. Therefore, promoting the application and practice of systematic psychological interventions in the clinical care of elderly patients with fractures will provide more effective psychological services to a wider group of patients with fractures in the future.

РОЛЬ КОЛЬОРУ В ОСМИСЛЕННІ ПІДЛІТКАМИ ВЛАСНОГО ЕМОЦІЙНОГО КОНТЕКСТУ ТА ЙОГО ЗМІН ПІД ВПЛИВОМ ПСИХОТРАВМУЮЧИХ ОБСТАВИН

The article deals with using art therapeutic technologies to comprehend adolescents’ emotional context. Fragments of psychoanalytic work using artistic and symbolic images are presented. The paper analyzes a set of thematic drawings covering various aspects of adolescents’ lives and attitudes towards themselves, others, and the world around them. The results of an experimental study are given. It is noted that the art therapy method contains the potential to actualize the strategy of creative activity and is based on the expressive arts that provide support for the individual. It has been found that using color in art therapy techniques corrects disorders of psychosomatic and psycho-emotional processes in personal development. The role of color in adolescents’ comprehension of their emotional context and its changes under the influence of psychotraumatic circumstances is considered. It is stated that the use of mandalas allows a teenager to delve into the unconscious levels of the psyche and ensure its balance and integrity under of the influence psychotraumatic circumstances It is proved that color not only affects an adolescent’s personality depending on his or her emotional state but also shapes emotions in a certain way. The art therapy method has been found to contribute to the subject’s reflexive comprehension of his/her emotional experiences embodied in artistic and symbolic forms

Experienced art therapists’ perceptions of the EDPP supervision model and its impact on their professional work and identity

ABSTRACT This qualitative study documented 14 experienced art therapists’ perceptions of their supervision experiences, professional identity, and development while engaged in the El Duende One-Canvas Process Painting (EDPP) supervision model. Four main themes emerged from the thematic analysis of the interviews: (1) the role of the canvas in supervision, (2) the model’s impact on professional development and identity, (3) the role of the group in the EDPP model, and (4) challenges during the supervision process. The discussion focuses on the canvas as an adjunct-internal visual supervisor supporting clinical work and the EDPP as a support for professional development and identity.

Integrative Eco Art Therapy: Addressing Humanity’s Fractured Attachment to Nature

Integrative Eco Art Therapy: Addressing Humanity’s Fractured Attachment to Nature

Influencing and moderating factors analyzed in the group art therapy of two schizophrenic inpatients

Influencing and moderating factors analyzed in the group art therapy of two schizophrenic inpatients

Art as a Form of Communication for Trauma Survivors

This study investigates the importance of art as a communicative tool for trauma survivors, offering a form of self-expression and healing when words fail. Art therapy allows trauma survivors to express their emotions and experiences in a nonverbal way, assisting them in processing their suffering, reducing psychological distress, and promoting recovery. By studying various types of traumas and the use of art therapy, this research demonstrates how generating visual and poetic representations of trauma can serve as a bridge to emotional resilience and healing. The study also looks at the therapeutic advantages and success stories of art-based interventions, illustrating how creative expression may alter mental health therapy for trauma survivors. Keywords: Art therapy, Trauma survivors, Non-verbal communication, Emotional healing, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Art Therapy through the Eyes of Art Teachers: A Qualitative Study of Adolescents’ Educational Practices

Art Therapy through the Eyes of Art Teachers: A Qualitative Study of Adolescents’ Educational Practices

Unveiling the potential of fine arts education in enhancing resilience among Chinese gifted students

IntroductionThe current study aimed to explore the complex dynamics influencing the resilience of gifted Chinese students, emphasizing the interconnected roles of fine arts education (FAE), creativity, and self-efficacy (SE). By examining the transformative potential of FAE, this research highlighted creativity and SE as key mediating factors for resilience among Chinese gifted students.MethodsThis study involves administering a structured set of questions to a sample of gifted young adults, thus achieving a high response rate of 93.21%. The Maus scale (1938) has been used to measure FAE, the Connor-Davidson Resilience scale assesses resilience, while creativity and SE are measured using the Kaufman scale and Schwarzer and Jerusalem scale, respectively. Statistical analyses includes a correlation matrix, ANOVA, confirmatory latent factor model tests, and mediation effect analysis for resilience and creativity. Data analysis has been conducted by using the SPSS Statistics 29.0, bootstrap, and AMOS 25.0 software.ResultsCurrent findings determines a significant role of FAE in enhancing emotional resilience, creativity, and SE among gifted students. This study also finds the importance of FAE in building essential coping mechanisms to address intellectual and emotional challenges specific to this group.DiscussionThis study proposes to integrate FAE into educational curricula to better support the intellectual and emotional needs of gifted young adults, thereby facilitating the development of coping skills crucial for their emotional wellbeing. Additionally, this study indicates the importance of art therapy and global initiatives in boosting the resilience, while preparing gifted students to face future challenges with enhanced psychological resilience.

Clay in Art Therapy: A Case Report of a Sexually Abused Child

Contemporary art therapy has focused little on the healing potential of using clay with children that have experienced sexual abuse. In this case report, I provide a brief introduction of a 12-year-old male followed by a discussion of his clay sculptures made in group art therapy sessions over a two-week period during an inpatient psychiatric stay. The tactile and sensorimotor activity of working with clay provided trauma informed benefits such as focusing on the present-moment experience, safely developing somatic awareness, and cultivating self-regulator capacity. Additionally, the client’s life-like clay objects permitted him the opportunity to create personalized imagery that symbolized his unconscious processes and life experiences and was a key step toward successful transference and artistic sublimation.

CTNI-75. TRIALS IN PROGRESS: REGISTRY OF SAFETY & EFFICACY IN ADULTS WITH PRIMARY & METASTATIC INTRACRANIAL TUMORS TREATED WITH START (GAMMATILES (CS-131 SOURCE BRACHY-THERAPY)): NCT04427384

Abstract INTRO This is the first observational registry study of R+STaRT, delivered by Cs-131 sources in permanently implanted resorbable collagen tile carriers, for patients with intracranial tumors. METHODS Since October 2020, 37 sites to-date have enrolled 359 patients with primary & metastatic intracranial tumors into the R+STaRT registry to assess the safety & efficacy of the addition of Gamma Tile to medically needed resection. Local control, overall survival, QOL, neurocognition, functional decline, and surgical and radiation associated AE’s are collected at 1, 3, 6, 9,12, 18 and 24 months, then every 6 months through 5 years. RESULTS Demographics include 359 patients, avg. age 57 y.o.. 162 malignant gliomas, 125 metastatic tumors, 38 meningiomas, and 34 rare other tumors. 197 Males (163 White, 23 Black, 5 Asian, and other races) and 157 Females (White 121, 28 Black, 0 Asian, and 8 other races). No unexpected outcomes reported in the hands of experienced providers have occurred, although close clinical-radiographic follow-up, to ensure early detection of possible treatment-effects, is paramount. Steroid-use, and above endpoints, continue to be collected. CONCLUSIONS In this observational registry of Gamma Tiles (Cs-131 source brachy-therapy) added to medically needed resections for patients with primary and metastatic intracranial tumors continues. Data will be used to benchmark clinical outcomes of R+STaRT therapy and allow for comparisons to existing standard-of-care treatments. The outcome measures captured will allow for evaluation of the potential risks and benefits of this treatment approach for patients in a real-world setting.

Collaborative and side-by-side artmaking: reducing social isolation in refugee youth group art therapy

ABSTRACT Background Research on social isolation in refugee youth is important because it affects their sense of belonging, mental health and wellbeing; integration and acculturation into a new country; education; and future employment opportunities. There is limited art therapy research in Australia in this area, leaving a compelling gap in understanding the effectiveness of collaborative and side-by-side artmaking in group art therapy to connect refugee youth with their peers. Aims This study aimed to explore whether collaborative and side-by-side artmaking in group art therapy would connect youth more effectively; alleviate their social isolation from trauma, displacement and re-settlement experiences; provide a safe environment and platform to express themselves; and improve their mental health and wellbeing. Methods The triangular mixed-methods approach used standardised scales and semi-structured interviews to gather information from youth, teachers and art therapists. Mixed-method data analysis was applied using the Reliable Change Index, line graphs, descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis. Results Refugee youths’ self-esteem and confidence seemed to increase through collaborative and side-by-side artmaking. Results highlighted the importance of social connection, self-esteem, confidence and a sense of safety for making positive connections during artmaking. Conclusions Findings indicate potential benefits of pportunities for refugee youth to connect with their peers in the school environment and of group art therapy. Implications for practice and future research Opportunities could be achieved through collaborative and side-by-side artmaking in group art therapy. A larger study, longer programme and mixed populations in the school setting are recommended for future research. Plain-language summary The research aimed to examine if there was an effect of a six-week art therapy programme on social isolation for five 14–15-year-old female refugee youth. This research is important because social isolation affects youth’s mental health and wellbeing. Through creating art individually and next to each other (side-by-side artmaking), and creating artworks together (collaborative artmaking), the programme aimed to reduce social isolation and increase connections between youth during the sessions and in the school environment. The research was conducted in an early intervention creative therapies service onsite at a Queensland English-language transition secondary school. The service is provided by accredited art therapists and uses creative methods to support culturally diverse refugee youth in resettling, learning and recovering from trauma and stress. During the research, youth participants engaged in art activities, such as drawing and painting, while listening to music. Interventions were designed to establish group bonds, build self-esteem and resilience, and empower youth in a safe and supportive environment. Art therapists and teachers observed youth during the research period, completed standardised scales before and after the programme and participated in semi-structured interviews. The youth participants also completed standardised scales and were interviewed before and after the programme. The results showed that after the six-week programme, youths’ wellbeing and connections to each other increased. Three central themes were identified: (1) social connection is important within the school environment; (2) self-esteem and confidence are related to connecting to others and social isolation; and (3) there is a sense of safety in artmaking individually and collaboratively with peers. The study found that the art therapy programme positively affected youth mental health and wellbeing. This suggests the programme effectively reduced participants’ social isolation, potentially offering positive opportunities to connect other youth at risk of social isolation.

Healing trauma and building empathy through art therapy

Healing trauma and building empathy through art therapy

Editorial: Novel targets and state of the art therapies in ARDS and sepsis

Editorial: Novel targets and state of the art therapies in ARDS and sepsis

A Nature-Based Intervention and Mental Health of Schoolchildren: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Nature-based therapeutic or preventive interventions for mental health are increasingly popular, but their effectiveness for improving mental health is not well documented. To investigate the effectiveness of the Open Sky School Program (École à Ciel Ouvert), a 12-week nature-based intervention for elementary schoolchildren in grades 5 and 6, for reducing mental health symptoms. This 2-arm, cluster randomized clinical trial was conducted from February 27 to June 16, 2023, in French-language elementary schools in Quebec, Canada, with green space within 1 km. Participants were teachers and students in grades 5 and 6. In the intervention group, for 2 hours per week for 12 weeks, classes were taught outdoors in a nearby park or wooded area. Teachers were encouraged to engage students in basic subjects and in 10 or more mental health activities (mindfulness, philosophy, and/or art therapy). Control group schools conducted classes as usual. The primary outcome was change in student mental health (internalizing and externalizing symptoms, social problems) based on teacher- and student-reported 30-item Social Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ) scores (3-point scale) from baseline to the immediate postintervention follow-up, assessed in per-protocol and intent-to-treat mixed-model analyses. Secondary outcomes were student self-reported changes in depressive symptoms, positive or negative affect, pro-environmental efforts and/or attitudes, and nature connectedness. A total of 33 schools participated (53 teachers, 1015 students), including 16 schools (25 teachers, 515 students) in the intervention group and 17 schools (28 teachers, 500 students) in the control group. Student mean (SD) age was 10.9 (0.75) years; 507 (50.7%) were girls. Per-protocol and intent-to-treat mixed-model analyses showed no differences in mental health symptom change between groups; for example, the adjusted mean difference in SBQ scores between the intervention and control groups for externalizing symptoms was -0.04 (95% CI, -0.13 to 0.04) in the intent-to-treat analysis and -0.06 (95% CI, -0.16 to 0.04) in the per-protocol analysis. Post hoc analyses revealed low mental health symptoms at baseline, with low variability. Slightly greater reductions in symptoms were observed in the intervention group, but only for children with higher mental health symptoms at baseline (P < .05 for interaction). For example, for children with internalizing symptoms 1 SD above the mean at baseline, internalizing symptoms decreased by 0.38 SD (mean change, -0.15; P < .001) in the intervention group vs the control group. In this large cluster randomized clinical trial in daily-life elementary school settings, 12 weeks of classes in green space for 2 hours per week did not reduce mental health symptoms in students aged 10 to 12 years in either the per-protocol or the intent-to-treat analysis. However, this low-cost, safe outdoor intervention may provide unmeasured or longer-term benefits for children with higher risk of mental health symptoms. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05662436.

The Future of Art Therapy in Mental Health Treatment

Art therapy has become a vital aspect of mental health treatment, providing an innovative, non-verbal way for individuals to express their emotions and process trauma. This paper examines the historical roots, current applications, and future potential of art therapy as a mental health treatment modality. The paper critiques traditional mental health practices and highlights emerging trends such as the integration of digital technology, innovations in trauma-informed care, and the potential for art therapy to evolve in a rapidly changing world. This study anticipates art therapy’s increasing relevance in the field of mental health by evaluating how it has adapted to societal needs and technology improvements. Keywords: Art therapy, mental health treatment, non-verbal therapy, trauma-informed care, creative expression.

The Impact of Arts on Mental Health and Well-Being

This paper examines the complex relationship between the arts and mental health, examining its historical roots, theoretical frameworks, and empirical evidence. Artistic expression has long been associated with mental health, providing opportunities for self-expression, emotional release, and psychological recovery. From early civilisations to modern therapeutic techniques, art has been recognised for its ability to improve mental health in a variety of cultures. Theoretical perspectives, such as expressive arts therapy and neuroesthetics, shed light on how creativity influences emotional and cognitive processes. According to empirical studies, participating in artistic activities helps relieve anxiety, sadness, and stress while increasing social support and empowerment. This study addresses the value of interdisciplinary methods, combining lived experiences with research to investigate how art may be used as a powerful tool in mental health interventions such as art therapy and creative practices in community settings. Keywords: Art therapy, Mental health, Emotional well-being, Expressive arts, Creative interventions.

Exploring Ethical Considerations in Art Therapy

Art therapy is a professional technique in which art and psychology come together to assist healing. Ethical considerations in art therapy are crucial in creating trust, maintaining confidentiality, and obtaining informed permission from therapists and clients. This study investigates the fundamental ethical concepts that underpin art therapy, including confidentiality, informed consent, dual partnerships, and cultural competency. It examines the theoretical foundations of ethics, drawing on utilitarianism, deontology, and nonmaleficence, among others. Furthermore, this study investigates the complicated ethical quandaries that arise from boundary-crossing, as well as the requirement for therapists to practice culturally competently. The goal is to demonstrate how ethical awareness and thoughtful application improve the therapy experience and result in improved client results. Keywords: Art therapy, ethics, confidentiality, informed consent, dual relationships, cultural competence.

Arts and psychomotor therapies in personality disorder treatment: An appropriate therapeutic entrance to personal development: A commentary.

Personality disorders (PD) are based not just on maladaptive ideas about self and others, they also are grounded on embodied patterns of behaviors and reactions to interpersonal stressors. There is growing interest in working with the body and through the body so to address automatisms that lead to suffering and dysfunctional social action. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology: In-Session the use of art and psychomotor therapies for these patients was explored by seven different clinical perspectives. Patients described presented with different PD and associated symptoms. The arts and psychomotor therapies deployed in personality disorder treatment are: (visual) art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy, dance (movement) therapy, and psychomotor therapy making psychotherapeutic use of the different modalities: art, music, play, role-play, performance, improvisation, dance, body awareness and movement. Interventions provide kinesthetic, sensory, perceptual, and symbolic opportunities to invite alternative modes of meaning-making, accessing own needs and wishes, and communicating them to others. In this commentary we summarize some of the different topics covered by the clinical-based papers, including working mechanisms of arts and psychomotor therapies, the importance of bottom-up emotion regulation processes, how to treat trauma in the presence of a PD, how to integrate art and psychomotor therapies in a fine-grained formulation and how to understand the process of change. Although there is a need for more empirical research, we hope this issue makes a solid case that clinicians can effectively include art and psychomotor therapies when treating the full range of PD.

Promoting Health and Wellbeing Through Non-Clinical Arts Programming: Multi-Stakeholder Perspectives From the Veterans Health Administration.

While the value of art therapy is well-established and arts are increasingly leveraged to promote health and wellbeing more broadly, little is known about the impacts of non-clinical arts programs. In this preliminary investigation, we sought to fill this gap by exploring diverse stakeholders' perspectives on the impacts of non-clinical arts programming on Veterans receiving care at the Veterans Health Administration (VA). Semi-structured qualitative interviews with Veterans, VA staff, and community partners. Interviewees were recruited from 7 VA medical centers that have recently implemented non-clinical arts programming to promote Veterans' health and wellbeing, some of them in partnership with community organizations. 33 individuals were interviewed, including 9 Veterans, 14 VA staff, and 10 community partners involved in non-clinical arts program implementation. Interview transcripts were analyzed using iterative rounds of qualitative content analysis. The following impacts on Veterans were described: (1) mental health improvements, (2) renewed sense of purpose; (3) increased social connectedness, (4) improved self-esteem, and (5) self-driven engagement in art activities. Non-clinical arts programming was perceived by diverse stakeholders to offer important benefits for Veterans' health and well-being. Offering non-clinical arts programming inside and outside healthcare facilities' walls is a promising direction for the field of public health undergoing a shift towards holistic approaches to improving individual and population health outcomes.

Creative art therapy for postpartum depression： A systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aims to ascertain the effectiveness of creative art therapy (CAT) in alleviating symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD). A systematic review of all randomized controlled trials of CAT for PPD was conducted. Eight bibliographic databases, namely, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, and China Biomedical Literature Database were searched digitally, while Google Scholar database was searched manually for a comprehensive literature search. The search period is from the establishment of the database to May 2024. Literature screening and data extraction were conducted independently by two researchers, and the risk of bias in the included studies was evaluated. Finally, RevMan5.3 software and STATA 15.1 software were used for meta-analysis. Twelve studies, including 1633 patients, were included in this review. The results of our meta-analysis revealed that the intervention group was significantly better than the control group in depression [SMD=-0.882, 95% CI: -1.256 to -0.508, P ＜ 0.001][WMD=0.680, 95% CI: 0.407-0.953, P ＜ 0.001], anxiety [SMD=-0.712, 95% CI: -1.405 to -0.019, P=0.044], and personal state [WMD=-5.180, 95% CI: -5.869 to -4.491, P ＜ 0.001][SMD=0.388, 95% CI: 0.132-0.643, P=0.003], and the difference was statistically significant. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the above results were stable. CAT (music and creative games) was found to be effective in relieving depression, anxiety, and personal state in patients with PPD. Though CAT appears to be worthy of clinical application, more high-quality and large-sample studies are required to explore various aspects in the current context.