Effects of expressive art therapy on health status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a community-based cluster randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background and objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of expressive art therapy (EAT) on the health status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: This community-based cluster randomized controlled trial involved patients with COPD from 16 communities in China. Participants received either EAT plus usual care (UC) or UC only. General practitioners were trained in EAT before the intervention. The primary outcomes were depression and anxiety symptoms, measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and expressed as the HADS score for depression or anxiety (HADS-D or HADS-A, respectively). The secondary outcomes were the quality of life and dyspnoea, measured with the COPD assessment test (CAT). Dyspnoea was assessed using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale. Lung function was expressed as the forced expiratory volume in 1 s as a percentage of the predicted value [FEV1 (% pred)]. Outcome data were collected from all participants at baseline, 2 and 6 months. Results: In total, 360 participants with COPD and comorbid depression were included in the analysis with the control group of 181 receiving UC only and the intervention group of 179 receiving EAT plus UC. The EAT group showed significantly greater improvement in the HADS-D and HADS-A scores than the UC group at 2 months ( p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001, respectively) and 6 months ( p < 0.001 for both). The CAT and mMRC scores were significantly lower in the EAT group than in the UC group at 2 and 6 months ( p < 0.001 for all). The FEV1 (% pred) was significantly higher in the EAT group than in the UC group at 6 months ( p < 0.01). Conclusion: General practitioners can deliver EAT interventions. EAT can effectively reduce anxiety and depression symptoms and dyspnoea, improve quality of life and improve the pulmonary function of patients with COPD.

The Contribution of Cultural Heritage Owned by Local Health Authorities in the Humanization of Care: The Point of View of Top Management

“…In fact, the use of art in social and health context is a reality in the ASL Roma 1. For years, art therapy has been adopted in multiple settings and clinical pathways [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. In the museum “Laboratory of Mind” of the ASL Roma 1 (member of the network “Menti in rete”), art is also used as an effective communicative tool in campaigns of sensibilization about mental health.…”

“…Another fantastic example is the assistance offered to patients with dependence or age-related/senile cognitive impairment in cloisters, gardens, libraries, and museums. In the clinical pathways of these patients, art therapy is included as a treatment support [ 16 , 17 ].…”

“…The second way consists of art therapy [ 13 ]. Art becomes a proper therapeutic support tool in multiple care contexts, ranging from intensive care unit [ 14 ] to mental health departments [ 15 ] and outpatient care [ 16 ]. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also recognized the contribution of art to the promotion of mental and physical well-being and healthy lifestyles, as well as to the correct management of a care pathway [ 17 ].…”

Needs Analysis Of Expressive Art Therapy Counselling Module On Mental Health, Resilience, And Attitudes Towards Seeking Counselling Among Teacher Education Institute

“…2021) focuses on student adjustment and uses qualitative methods. Expressive arts therapy has been shown to be valuable and practical for various conditions related to mental health (Zuo et al, 2022). In addition, expressive arts therapy is one of the artistic ways to address the desire for resilient interventions that focus on process and structure-oriented goals (Li & Peng, 2022).…”