Dagmar Linz
Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen, Netherlands Antilles
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Cancer Sci Ther
Background: Common psychosocial difficulties of cancer patients are anxiety, depression and fatigue. This systematic review focused on art therapy interventions and the effectiveness of art therapy for cancer patients. Objective: The purpose of this review was to research the evidence of using art therapy with adult cancer patients to improve coping of psychosocial problems and management of symptoms. The role of art therapy in cancer treatment will be discussed with the possibility of increased innovative settings for art therapists in the future. Methods: Different online databases were searched in this review. Articles were included or excluded, based on predetermined criteria. The data analysis of all included articles was based on a total of 1006 patients and included art therapy interventions, outcome evaluation and results. Data extraction was conducted by two independent reviewers. Results: A total of 14 studies with the inclusion criteria were performed. Measures were questionnaires, oral narratives and screening of psychosocial distress, depression, anger and fatigue, and quality of life (QoL). Studies included different stages and types of cancer with 3 studies focusing on breast cancer. Art therapy (AT) had the potential to decrease stress, anxiety and in most studies depression. AT improved Qol, and the emotional support to the cancer patients and also to family caregivers. Conclusion: In this review evidence was found that AT interventions improve coping skills and self- awareness. Art therapy benefits different symptoms of cancer patients in terms of decreasing anxiety, depression, stress, pain, fatigue and increasing QoL. More studies, based on methodological homogeneity with a larger sample size are needed to show the long term effects of follow up studies.
Email: dali-art-therapy@kpnmail.nl
Cancer Science & Therapy received 3968 citations as per Google Scholar report
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