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Individual brief art therapy can be helpful for women with breast cancer: A randomized controlled clinical study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 February 2009

Karin Egberg Thyme ,
Eva C. Sundin ,
Britt Wiberg ,
Inger Öster ,
Sture Åström  and
Jack Lindh
Karin Egberg Thyme*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Science, Psychiatry Umea University, Umea, Sweden
Eva C. Sundin
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Science, Psychiatry Umea University, Umea, Sweden
Britt Wiberg
Affiliation:
Division of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Inger Öster
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
Sture Åström
Affiliation:
Department of Nursing, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
Jack Lindh
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Sciences, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Karin Egberg Thyme, Umea University, Department of Clinical Science, Psychiatry, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

Recent research shows that almost every second woman with breast cancer is depressed or has anxiety; the risk for younger women is even higher. Moreover, research shows that women are at risk for developing depression, also a threat for women with breast cancer. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to study the outcome of five sessions of art therapy given at a 5-week period of postoperative radiotherapy.

Methods:

The participants were between 37 and 69 years old; six participants in each group were below 50 years of age. Half of the participants (n = 20) received art therapy and the other half (n = 21) were assigned to a control group. At the first measurement, at least 17% (n = 7) of the participants medicated with antidepressants. Data were collected before and after art therapy and at a 4-month follow-up using self-rating scales that measure self-image (the Structural Analysis of Social Behaviour) and psychiatric symptoms (the Symptom Check List–90).

Results:

At follow-up, significant lower ratings of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms and less general symptoms were reported for the art therapy group compared to the control group. The regression analysis showed that art therapy relates to lower ratings of depression, anxiety, and general symptoms; chemotherapeutic treatment predicts lower depressive symptoms; in contrast to axilliary surgery and hormonal treatment as well as being a parent predicts higher ratings of anxiety and general symptoms.

Significance of results:

The conclusion suggests that art therapy has a long-term effect on the crisis following the breast cancer and its consequences.

Keywords

Art therapyBreast cancerSymptom Check List–90 (SCL-90)Structural Analysis of Social Behaviour (SASB)Oncology
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 7 , Issue 1 , March 2009 , pp. 87 - 95
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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