Evaluating the Effectiveness of Art Therapy on Mood, Anxiety, and Pain Levels in Cancer Patients

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Art Therapy on Mood, Anxiety, and Pain Levels in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy Treatment

Participants in this research study are asked to tell about their experience with art therapy. Participants in this research study are currently receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer. The purpose of this study is to learn how art therapy affects mood, anxiety, pain, and emotions of individuals with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy.

In this single-center single-arm non-controlled descriptive study, we aim to describe the effects of a single art therapy session on a cancer patient's mood, pain, anxiety level.

Primary Objectives

• To assess the effect of art therapy on the cancer patient's mood
• To assess the effect of art therapy on the cancer patient's anxiety
• To assess the effect of art therapy on the cancer patient's pain

Secondary Objectives

• To explore differences in response to art therapy by ethnic group, race, age, sex, caregiver support, cancer diagnosis, reason for visit, and marital status
• To explore differences in response to art therapy by primary concern expressed by patients during art therapy sessions

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects are able to give informed consent
• Any cancer diagnosis
• Actively undergoing any chemotherapy treatment at Maroone Cancer Center
• Patients who have never utilized art therapy at Maroone Cancer Center
• Speaks, reads, and writes in English
• Able and willing to participate in an art therapy session at Maroone Cancer Center

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients without cancer diagnosis
• Patients not actively undergoing chemotherapy at Maroone Cancer Center
• Individuals unable to complete art therapy activities independently due to physical and/or mental impairment
• Under 18 years of age (minors)
• Patients who have dementia or a legal guardian
• Unable to speak, read, and write in English
• Patients who have previously utilized art therapy at Maroone Cancer Center