The contribution of art therapy in poorly controlled youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The addition of intensive art therapy for poorly controlled youth with T1DM may improve their glycemic control.

The Effect of Art Therapy Techniques on Depression, Anxiety Levels and Quality of Life in the Adolescent With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Preliminary Study

“…The positive effects of art therapy to decrease depression and anxiety symptoms of children and adolescents with chronic diseases were reported in many studies (8,9,28). In a study on children with chronic cancer, the findings showed that art therapy had a strong psychological support effect on overcoming and depression developed after the diagnosis until post-hospitalization rehabilitation period (28).…”

“…In a study on 13 Type 1 diabetic children who were aged 7-16, children were exposed to background music during glucose follow-up system session for five days; it was concluded that background music is a good potential approach for better glycemic control and better glucose levels (10). When metabolic control and art therapy studies are considered, there was a significant decline after art therapy in HbA1c levels of 29 diabetic adolescents participated in another study (9). Apart from other studies, this study revealed no significant changes in HbA1c levels.…”

“…A different study about the effects of art therapy on metabolic control concluded that poor metabolic control level was better after art therapy (9). Art therapy was evaluated for its effects on HbA1c levels of 13 children with Type 1 DM and background music was a potentially positive approach for better glucose levels and better glycemic control (10).…”

The “Face” of Diabetes

“…Studies using art intervention in youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are limited. Nuvoli et al (11) indicated youth with T1DM created drawings reflecting images of a “sick person” and were less apt to depict a stereotypical smiling, happy image of a “healthy person.” More recently, art therapy was shown to improve metabolic control when used as a clinically integrated intervention (3,12). In addition, art has been used in diabetes camp to provide opportunity for youth to decipher the emotional aspects of diabetes in a safe, secure environment (2).…”

Do researchers have their heads in the clouds, bogged down with scientific medical detail? [art therapy maybe a simpler alternative]

“…Results were a decrease in hemoglobin A1c in the intervention group compared with control so in essence it may improve glycaemic control. 13 7. To examine the effects of art and music therapy on depression and cognitive function of the elderly [n=94].…”