Premium
Art therapy improved depression and influenced fatigue levels in cancer patients on chemotherapy
Author(s) -
BarSela Gil,
Atid Lily,
Danos Sara,
Gabay Naomi,
Epelbaum Ron
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.1175
Subject(s) - depression (economics) , anxiety , medicine , intervention (counseling) , physical therapy , hospital anxiety and depression scale , cancer , psychiatry , economics , macroeconomics
: Cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to depression and anxiety, with fatigue as the most prevalent symptom of those undergoing treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether improvement in depression, anxiety or fatigue during chemotherapy following anthroposophy art therapy intervention is substantial enough to warrant a controlled trial. Material and methods : Sixty cancer patients on chemotherapy and willing to participate in once‐weekly art therapy sessions (painting with water‐based paints) were accrued for the study. Nineteen patients who participated in ⩾4 sessions were evaluated as the intervention group, and 41 patients who participated in ⩽2 sessions comprised the participant group. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) were completed before every session, relating to the previous week. Results : BFI scores were higher in the participant group ( p =0.06). In the intervention group, the median HADS score for depression was 9 at the beginning and 7 after the fourth appointment ( p =0.021). The median BFI score changed from 5.7 to 4.1 ( p =0.24). The anxiety score was in the normal range from the beginning. Conclusion : Anthroposophical art therapy is worthy of further study in the treatment of cancer patients with depression or fatigue during chemotherapy treatment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.