Effects of Art Therapy Using Color on Purpose in Life in Patients with Stroke and Their Caregivers

Abstract

PurposePatients with stroke suffer from physical disabilities, followed by mental instability. Their caregivers also suffer from mental instability. The present study attempted to address the degree and the change of the level of Purpose in Life (PIL) in patients with stroke and caregivers by applying art therapy using colors.Materials and MethodsTwenty-eight stroke patients with a good functional recovery or a moderate disability and their 28 caregivers were selected and evaluated. The period of the study between the stroke and color therapy was more than 6 months. Patients and caregivers were divided into the color therapy (28) and control groups (28). A questionnaire, which measures the level of PIL was conducted separately for patients and caregivers prior to the first session of color therapy (2 hours per week, total 16 sessions). The final examination was performed 5 months after the last color therapy session.ResultsThere was significant difference between before and after color therapy when the level of PIL was measured both in patients and caregivers (p<0.01). These were the same between the color therapy group, compared with the control group (p<0.01). As color therapy progressed to the late phase, patients and caregivers applied increasing number of colors and color intensity.ConclusionThese results prove that color therapy will improve PIL of the patients with post-stroke disability and caregivers. Furthermore, color therapy would be a useful adjuvant for improving the quality of life of the patients with stroke and their caregivers.

Poststroke Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

“…In fact, there are virtually no reports that examine the benefits of psychotherapy in a post-stroke patient population suffering from PTSD; however, a few on post-stroke depression do exist 55–57 . The most recent examination of different interventions for ischemic stroke found that, beginning 6 months after a stroke, citalopram (anti-depressant) and cognitive behavioral therapy are more successful at reducing depressive symptoms than rehabilitation alone 55 .…”

“…Notably, data suggests that 9 months after a stroke, cognitive behavioral therapy may be more effective than Citalopram 55 . Problem-solving therapy 56 and art therapy 57 as PSD treatments have also been proposed, but without controlled empirical findings. Unfortunately, none of these therapeutic approaches for PSD have been directly compared with each other to establish a gold standard.…”

Creative art therapy to enhance rehabilitation for stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial

“…They found that art therapy was a beneficial adjuvant therapy to improve quality of life and sense of purpose in life for stroke patients and their caregivers. 33 Although participants in our study received only eight sessions of creative art therapy, they experienced improved quality of life and most were satisfied with the creative art therapy program. They also reported improvements in concentration, emotion, self-confidence and motivation.…”

Analysis of the concept of powerlessness in individuals with stroke

“…These determinants have repercussions on functional recovery influencing the adaptation of the problem and the functional results on the motor and cognitive domains. (29,(35)(36)(42)(43)(44) Feelings of loss of confidence in oneself and physical control, threatening the self, starting to interfere with performance, social self-esteem and appearance are experienced because of low selfesteem. (35,45,46) Low self-esteem has repercussions on dependence, depersonalization, functional difficulty and lack of control (32) .…”

“…It is the result of the effects of cerebrovascular lesions that affect the domains of executive language, spatial and visual perception, learning and memory. (37,38,43) Studies point out that individuals with stroke are able to participate actively in an intense rehabilitation regimen of at least three hours a day, achieving better functional results over a short period of time. (49) Despite the implementation of intensive programs, many continue to experience post-discharge deficiency, presenting common feelings such as inferiority and fragility.…”