Creative Arts Therapy on Body Image, Self-esteem, Anxiety and Depression in Post-Treatment Prostate Cancer Patients

Effects of Creative Arts Therapy on Body Image, Self-esteem, Anxiety and Depression in Men With Prostate Cancer After Active Treatment: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical study is to assess the feasibility of implementing a creative arts therapy intervention of drawing and painting in Hong Kong prostate cancer patients and preliminarily examine the effects of this intervention on prostate cancer patients' health outcomes via a two-armed randomized controlled trial. The two arms will be (i) the creative arts therapy intervention group and (ii) a active control group.

Participants will join five sessions. Sessions will start with a 10-15-minute rapport-building discussion and continue with a 60-minute intervention. Session themes are as follows: 'bridge drawing', 'analogue drawing', 'life-sized body outline', a 'free session' to allow patients to express their feelings, and a final review with the art therapist in which all sessions will be brought to a conclusion. Each session will follow a three-step process of psychodynamic model to ensure the optimal effect of the intervention. The interventions will be held at private room at hospital.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult participants diagnosed with localised prostate cancer, regardless of the stage and age 18 years or older;
• are not currently receiving active therapy, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgical treatment, by the time of the study or completed treatment more than one year ago and are not on any active treatment;
• were being followed up by the urology team or Department of Surgery at the Chinese University of Hong Kong;
• are willing to participate in the study;
• are able to read Chinese and communicate in Cantonese;
• are physically able to attend and complete art therapy sessions;
• do not have significant comorbidities, including cerebrovascular accident, severe depression, or dementia that could affect their ability to participate in the study;
• signed an informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Adult participants diagnosed with a mixed type of terminal cancer;
• are undergoing active therapy;
• have participated in other art therapy interventions;
• have physical issues preventing them from holding a pen;
• have a mental status and/or communication problem that might compromise their capacity to give informed consent;
• have significant comorbidities such as cerebrovascular accident, severe depression, or dementia, as determined by standardized screening tools a score of 20-27 on the Patient Health Questionnaire and score 25 or less on the Mini-Mental State Examination.