Effectiveness of art therapy on level of stress and anxiety among paediatric oncology patients

Background: Children hospitalized for a long duration due to cancer often feel isolated and this results in increased levels of stress and anxiety. Hospitalization causes fear, apprehension and physical conditions like pain, which could be a stressor for children. Art therapy helps cope with stress and traumatic experiences.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of art therapy on the levels of stress and anxiety among paediatric oncology patients

Method: A total of 30 children were allocated equally into the experimental and control groups in this quantitative study. The experimental group was provided art therapy (drawing, painting and ceramic art) while the control group was provided routine therapy. Post assessment levels of stress and anxiety was done using structured questionnaires of perceived stress scale and the Hamilton anxiety rating scale. Data was analysed using paired and unpaired t-test, Wilcoxon sign rank test and Chi-square test. p<0.05 was taken as significant.

Results: Effect of art therapy in the experimental group showed a significant difference in the mean stress and anxiety scores in post-test (p=0.00069 and p=0.000642) as compared to control. Comparison of anxiety scores with any type of cancer showed a significance of p=0.010 in experimental group in comparison to control at post-test.

Conclusions: Art therapy was an effective strategy in the reduction of stress and anxiety levels among children with cancer.

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2021; 50(3): 459-464