Supportive care with art therapy, for patients in isolation during stem cell transplant

Abstract

The results suggest that referral to art therapy from the team might be helpful and appropriate: (1) when patients are anxious; (2) when they are uncommunicative and hide their feelings; and (3) when they feel disconnected from their loved ones at home.

Psychosocial Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer: An Integrative Review

“…), 19 included survivors, 8 included young children or older adults, and 5 did not report psychosocial outcomes leaving 17 articles that met inclusion criteria for this review (see Figure 1). Of note, one publication (Agnese et al, 2012) included older adults but the article was retained because there was unanimous (100%) agreement on the intervention's usefulness; only the case report responses from AYAs were included for discussion in this review. The majority of included articles (14, 82.4%) addressed specific psychosocial interventions, and three (17.6%) explored how clinical interactions or practice relationships that may impact psychosocial health.…”

“…Interventions involving art therapists (Agnese et al, 2012), nurses, social workers, spiritual care workers (Torabi et al, 2018), psychologists, counselors, psychiatry teams, and palliative care providers (Lyon et al, 2014) have shown success. Building interdisciplinary teams to address the complexity of medical and psychosocial needs of AYAs with cancer is necessary to improve quality of life for this population.…”

“…Two of the included studies evaluated the impact of interventions involving creative expression on psychosocial measures with favorable outcomes. Agnese et al (2012) conducted a mixed-method study to explore the impact of art therapy on quality of life for 19-to 37-year-old patients admitted for stem cell transplant (Agnese et al, 2012). In this intervention, an art therapist met weekly with patients over the course of their admission and focused on discussions through image creation, assisting with externalization of feelings, and exploring positive memories and resources.…”

“…In this intervention, an art therapist met weekly with patients over the course of their admission and focused on discussions through image creation, assisting with externalization of feelings, and exploring positive memories and resources. At the time of discharge after transplant, all participants reported that art therapy was subjectively helpful (Agnese et al, 2012). Qualitative analysis revealed that participants felt more peaceful and relaxed and felt that art was a way to express themselves and aid others in understanding their situation (Agnese et al, 2012).…”

“…At the time of discharge after transplant, all participants reported that art therapy was subjectively helpful (Agnese et al, 2012). Qualitative analysis revealed that participants felt more peaceful and relaxed and felt that art was a way to express themselves and aid others in understanding their situation (Agnese et al, 2012). Burns et al (2009) conducted an experimental study in which participants were randomized to create a music video or spend an equivalent amount of time listening to…”