Sandplay therapy could be a method to decrease disease activity and psychological stress in children with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Objective Although the prevalence rate of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is far lower than that of adults, cSLE has a high rate of organ involvement, rapid development and poor prognosis, which is more serious than that in adults. And studies have shown that a wide range of physiological, functional, nerve, and organ damage will have a great impact on the mental health of children. At present, there is no relevant psychological intervention research for cSLE in China. This paper aimed to explore the effect of Sandplay therapy on mental health and disease activity of children with cSLE. Methods Forty childrens with cSLE were randomly divided into control group (CG) and intervention group (IG); the CG were treated with glucocorticoid, immunosuppressant and other drugs, while the IG were treated with Sandplay therapy in addition to drug therapy, at the time of 0, 2, and 4 weeks after initial diagnosis, respectively. The questionnaire evaluation and related clinical indicators of the two groups were compared and analyzed (before psychotherapy intervention) at 0, 2, 4, and 12 weeks after initial diagnosis. Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in the evaluation of questionnaire and related clinical indicators at the time 0, 2 weeks after initial diagnosis respectively. At 12 weeks after the intervention, the score of Short version of the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI-S) in the IG was significantly lower than that in the CG, the score of The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) scale in the IG was significantly lower than that in the CG, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0) showed that the scores of social function, school performance, and emotional health of the IG were higher than those of the CG ( p < 0.05), and the clinical indexes of the IG were better than those of the CG ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Sandplay therapy may help to slow down the occurrence and development of anxiety and depression and reduce disease activity in patients with cSLE.

A Study on the Effects of a Cartoon Text Version of Health Education Manual with Sandplay on the Psychological Status and Cognitive Function of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

“…③ Objective information reference: in conventional therapy, the child has a psychological barrier, and it is difficult for the practitioner to read the child's inner world from just a few words while using the work as an objective information reference; through the work, the therapist can clearly observe the child's inner world. Then, according to the cognitive-behavioural theory of psychology, the therapist provides targeted guidance to help the child find strength in self-growth and promote deep personality integration, which helps the child's emotional and mental stability and behavioural and cognitive improvement after treatment [ 20 ].…”

“…en, according to the cognitivebehavioural theory of psychology, the therapist provides targeted guidance to help the child nd strength in selfgrowth and promote deep personality integration, which helps the child's emotional and mental stability and behavioural and cognitive improvement after treatment [20].…”

Effects of school sandplay group therapy on children victims of cyberbullying

“…In a study that affected the reduction of depressive symptoms after SGT intervention, Li et al [ 39 ] reported significant decreases in anxiety and depression in children with systemic lupus erythematosus after SGT. Keivani et al [ 40 ] SGT alleviated depressive symptoms in preschoolers.…”

“…Tan et al [38] observed the effect of sandplay therapy in alleviating anxiety and social problem behaviors in school-aged children with chronic diseases. In a study that affected the reduction of depressive symptoms after SGT intervention, Li et al [39] reported significant decreases in anxiety and depression in children with systemic lupus erythematosus after SGT. Keivani et al [40] SGT alleviated depressive symptoms in preschoolers.…”

A Prospective Follow-Up Study on the Disease Course and Predictors of Poor Outcomes in a Random Population-Based Cohort of Newly Diagnosed Lupus Patients

“…Psychosocial stress in all age groups irrespective of gender serves as a great risk factor for poor outcomes from SLE [ 28 ]. A recent study revealed stress as the strongest poor prognostic indicator of poorly controlled SLE [ 29 ]. Psychosocial stress single-handedly leads to a poor prognosis with flares of high intensity in activities of daily life [ 30 ].…”