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Art therapy improves coping resources: A randomized, controlled study among women with breast cancer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2006

INGER ÖSTER ,
ANN-CHRISTINE SVENSK ,
EVA MAGNUSSON ,
KARIN EGBERG THYME ,
MARIE SJÕDIN ,
STURE ÅSTRÖM  and
JACK LINDH
INGER ÖSTER
Affiliation:
Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
ANN-CHRISTINE SVENSK
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
EVA MAGNUSSON
Affiliation:
Center for Women's Studies, Department of Social Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
KARIN EGBERG THYME
Affiliation:
Department of Psychotherapy, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
MARIE SJÕDIN
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
STURE ÅSTRÖM
Affiliation:
Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
JACK LINDH
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Abstract

Objective: Women with breast cancer suffer from considerable stress related to the diagnosis, surgery, and medical treatment. It is important to develop strategies to strengthen coping resources among these women. Research in art therapy has shown outcomes such as an increase in self-esteem and cohesion, significant improvement in global health, and a decrease in anxiety and depression. The aim of the present article was to describe the effects of an art therapy intervention program on coping resources in women with primary breast cancer.

Method: In this article, we report some of the results from a study including 41 women, aged 37–69 years old, with nonmetastatic primary breast cancer, referred to the Department of Oncology at Umeå University Hospital in Sweden for postoperative radiotherapy. The women represented various socioeconomic backgrounds. They were randomized to a study group (n = 20) with individual art therapy for 1 h/week during postoperative radiotherapy or to a control group (n = 21). The article focuses on changes in coping resources, as measured by the Coping Resources Inventory (CRI) before and 2 and 6 months after the start of radiotherapy. The study protocol was approved by the Umeå University Ethical Committee at the Medical Faculty (archive number 99–386).

Results: There was an overall increase in coping resources among women with breast cancer after taking part in the art therapy intervention. Significant differences were seen between the study and control groups in the social domain on the second and third occasions. Significant differences were also observed in the total score on the second occasion.

Significance of results: This study shows that individual art therapy provided by a trained art therapist in a clinical setting can give beneficial support to women with primary breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy, as it can improve their coping resources.

Keywords

Art therapyBreast cancerCopingGenderSupport
Type
Research Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , March 2006 , pp. 57 - 64
Copyright
© 2006 Cambridge University Press

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