Objective: Art as a therapy helps in reparation and recovery. The aim of this study
was to see the response of the cancer patients and their carers residing in
Bangladesh towards art therapy and the perceived effect of art therapy on their
physical and psychological condition. Method: The study was a record
review study conducted through a cross-sectional descriptive method from July
to November2018.
Along with the cancer patients, their immediate carers were enrolled in this study since patients and their
carers both suffer from the distress that comes with the diagnosis of cancer.
In-depth interviews and focused group discussions of art therapy were conducted with our study population at BPSCF and
BSMMU. Findings: After art therapy, there was an improvement in sensory
perception and self-perception, physical and psychological condition,
communication and social skills and helped in more personal integration and
built stronger insight among the patients and carers. Majority of the
participants of art therapy felt good and wanted to continue art therapy. Significance
of results: The results of this study will help to create awareness among
the community about the importance of psychotherapies like art therapy in the
life of the cancer patients and their carers. Introducing the concept of art
therapy will also help the public health practitioners to improvise palliative
care services in Bangladesh in a very
cost-effective approach.
Haeyen, S., van Hooren, S. and Hutschemaekers, G. (2015) Perceived Effects of Art Therapy in the Treatment of Personality Disorders, Cluster B/C: A Qualitative Study. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 45, 1-10.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2015.04.005
Wood, M.J.M. (2015) The Contribution of Art Therapy to Palliative Medicine. In: Cherny, N., et al., Eds., Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine, Fifth Edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1063-1068.
https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780199656097.003.0411
Deane, K., Fitch, M. and Carman, M. (2000) An Innovative Art Therapy Program for Cancer Patients. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 10, 147-151.
https://doi.org/10.5737/1181912x104147151
Hussain, S.A. and Sullivan, R. (2013) Cancer Control in Bangladesh. Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, 43, 1159-1169. https://doi.org/10.1093/jjco/hyt140
Bultas, M.W., Saini, S., Marty, J. and Hendricks-Ferguson, V.L. (2017) Art Making from the HEART: A Pediatric Case Study about Coping and Distraction During Oncology Treatments. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 19, 565-570.
Wood, M.J.M., Low, J., Molassiotis, A. and Tookman, A. (2013) Art Therapy’s Contribution to the Psychological Care of Adults with Cancer: A Survey of Therapists and Service Users in the UK. International Journal of Art Therapy, 18, 42-53.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17454832.2013.781657
Lin, M.H., Moh, S.L., Kuo, Y.C., Wu, P.Y., Lin, C.L., Tsai, M.H., Chen, T.J. and Hwang, S.J. (2012) Art Therapy for Terminal Cancer Patients in a Hospice Palliative Care Unit in Taiwan. Palliative & Supportive Care, 10, 51-57.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951511000587
Lefèvre, C., Ledoux, M. and Filbet, M. (2016) Art Therapy among Palliative Cancer Patients: Aesthetic Dimensions and Impacts on Symptoms. Palliative & Supportive Care, 14, 376-380. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951515001017
Acid Survivors Foundation (2013) An Expressive Art Therapy Workshop Held with Acid Survivors. Document on the Internet.
http://www.acidsurvivors.org/Event-Details/Event/An-Expressive-Art-Therapy-workshop-held-with-Acid-Survivors
Slayton, S.C., D’Archer, J. and Kaplan, F. (2010) Outcome Studies on the Efficacy of Art Therapy: A Review of Findings. Art Therapy, 27, 108-118.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2010.10129660
Guest, G., Bunce, A. and Johnson, L. (2006) How Many Interviews Are Enough? An Experiment with Data Saturation and Variability. Field Methods, 18, 59-82.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X05279903
Lindsey, H. (2006) Pilot Study: Art Therapy Can Reduce Cancer-Related Pain & Anxiety. Oncology Times, 28, 14.
https://doi.org/10.1097/01.COT.0000294391.48547.79
Walsh, S.M., Martin, S.C. and Schmidt, L.A. (2004) Testing the Efficacy of a Creative—Arts Intervention with Family Caregivers of Patients with Cancer. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 36, 214-219. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.2004.04040.x
Luzzatto, P., Sereno, V. and Capps, R. (2003) A Communication Tool for Cancer Patients with Pain: The Art Therapy Technique of the Body Outline. Palliative & Supportive Care, 1, 135-142. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951503030177
Bilgin, E., Kirca, O. and Ozdogan, M. (2018) Art Therapies in Cancer—A Non-Negligible Beauty and Benefit. Journal of Oncological Sciences, 4, 47-48.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jons.2017.12.003
Nainis, N.A. (2008) Approaches to Art Therapy for Cancer Inpatients: Research and Practice Considerations. Art Therapy, 25, 115-121.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2008.10129597
