Testing the efficacy of a creative-arts intervention with family caregivers of patients with cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To test the efficacy of a creative arts intervention (CAI) with family caregivers of patients with cancer.


METHODS
A pre-posttest quasi-experimental design, with participation in the CAI as the independent variable and stress, anxiety, and emotions as the dependent variables.


METHODS
The 6-month study was implemented at a regional cancer treatment center with family caregivers. The CAI consisted of several creative arts activities designed for delivery at the bedside.


RESULTS
Forty family caregivers reported significantly reduced stress, lowered anxiety, and increased positive emotions following CAI participation.


CONCLUSIONS
The CAI promoted short-term well being in this family caregiver sample. Caregivers also increased positive communication with cancer patients and health care providers while expressing delight over their handmade pieces of art.
Walsh
Sandra M
SM
Barry University School of Nursing, Research Clinician, South Miami Hospital, FL, USA. swalsh@mail.barry.edu
Martin
Susan Culpepper
SC
Schmidt
Lee A
LA
D000339:Affect; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001155:Art Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D003405:Creativity; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006293:Health Promotion; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010362:Patients' Rooms; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*