title: Creative arts therapy improves quality of life for pediatric brain tumor patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy.
abstract: This mixed methods pilot study evaluated the effects of the creative arts therapy (CAT) on the quality of life (QOL) of children receiving chemotherapy. A 2-group, repeated measures randomized design compared CAT with a volunteer's attention (n = 16). Statistical analysis of the randomized controlled phase of the study suggested an improvement in the following areas after the CAT: parent report of child's hurt (P = .03) and parent report of child's nausea (P = .0061). A nonrandomized phase, using a different instrument showed improved mood with statistical significance on the Faces Scale (P < .01), and patients were more excited (P < .05), happier (P < .02), and less nervous (P < .02). Provider focus groups revealed positive experiences. Case studies are included to exemplify the therapeutic process. With heightened interest in complementary therapy for children with cancer, future research with a larger sample size is needed to document the impact of incorporating creative arts into the healing process.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. madden.jennifer@tchden.org
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Madden
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mowry
authors.forename: Dexiang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Patsy McGuire
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Cullen
authors.forename: Nicholas K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Foreman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001155:Art Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003405:Creativity; D003614:Dance Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D002666:Psychology, Child; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D018401:Sample Size
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents