PMID: 

Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2019 Sep ;22(9):1097-1101. PMID: 31807255

Abstract Title: 

Protective effects ofin ovariectomy mice following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Abstract: 

Objectives: Previous studies have indicated that phytoestrogens induce estrogenic as well as anti-inflammatory effects, and they are found in high abundance in the extracts of some herbs such as(VAC). Therefore, we investigated the effect of VAC extract on ovariectomized mice after the induction of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (PMCAO) model.Materials and Methods: In this study, 50 mice ranging from 25 to 35 g were divided into five experimental groups as follows: Control, VAC, Estrogen, Tamoxifen, and Tamoxifen-VAC. Animals were ovariectomized, and after 30 days of treatment, they were given PMCAO induction. Behavioral assessment (adhesive removal and wire hanging tests) was evaluated 24 hr, 48 hr, and one week after induction of stroke. The infarct volume, as well as serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), were measured one week after stroke.Results: One week after stroke, in both VAC and estrogen groups, the infarct size reduced in comparison with the control group. Estrogen and VAC extract improved adhesive removal and wire hanging test, increased the level of IL-10, and decreased the level of MMP-9 compared with the control group. In addition, co-administration of tamoxifen and VCA extract had no significant effect on measured indices compared with control and tamoxifen groups.Conclusion: Based on our findings, VAC extract has neuroprotective properties and can reduce stroke injuries in PMCAO-induced ovariectomized mice via anti-inflammatory and estrogenic properties.

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PMID: 

Psychooncology. 2007 Nov ;16(11):980-4. PMID: 17351987

Abstract Title: 

Art therapy improved depression and influenced fatigue levels in cancer patients on chemotherapy.

Abstract: 

INTRODUCTION: Cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to depression and anxiety, with fatigue as the most prevalent symptom of those undergoing treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether improvement in depression, anxiety or fatigue during chemotherapy following anthroposophy art therapy intervention is substantial enough to warrant a controlled trial.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty cancer patients on chemotherapy and willing to participate in once-weekly art therapy sessions (painting with water-based paints) were accrued for the study. Nineteen patients who participated in>or =4 sessions were evaluated as the intervention group, and 41 patients who participated in

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PMID: 

Psychiatriki. 2012 Jul-Sep;23(3):245-54. PMID: 23073547

Abstract Title: 

[Art therapy in psychosocial rehabilitation of patients with mental disorders].

Abstract: 

Despite the use of art therapy in various psychiatric structures and articles supporting its application, in recent years very few data grounded on primary research have been published. Given the complexity of psychiatric disorders the number of people who suffer from them, and the fact that the primary treatment in psychiatric disorders remains pharmacotherapy, questions about the effectiveness of art therapy (as a complimentary treatment) remain open. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of art therapy in psychosocial rehabilitation of people with psychiatric disorders. A search of the literature and electronic databases using indexing words was conducted. The criteria for inclusion of articles were: a. studies had to be"outcome-intervention"studies, b. studies should concern only intervention in adults, and c. studies had to include patients with diagnoses according to the DSM of the American Psychiatric Association. Finally, only five articles were included in this systematic review. There is evidence for the effectiveness of art therapy in areas related to the psychosocial rehabilitation of persons suffering from psychiatric disorders, usually in combination with pharmacotherapy. The findings of the surveys reviewed are encouraging and justify the conduct of additional primary research.

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PMID: 

Invest Educ Enferm. 2014 ;32(1):128-38. PMID: 25229912

Abstract Title: 

Significance of clay art therapy for psychiatric patients admitted in a day hospital.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To understand the significance of clay art therapy for psychiatric patients admitted in a day hospital.METHODOLOGY: Qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research, undertaken with 16 patients in a day hospital in Londrina, in the state of Parana, Brazil, who participated in seven clay therapy sessions. Data collection took place from January to July 2012 through interviews guided by a semi structured questionnaire and the data were submitted to content analysis.RESULTS: Three themes emerged: Becoming familiar with clay art therapy; Feeling clay therapy; and Realizing the effect of clay therapy.CONCLUSION: The use of clay as a therapeutic method by psychiatric patients promoted creativity, self-consciousness, and benefited those who sought anxiety relief.

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PMID: 

Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2018 04 ;32(2):167-173. Epub 2017 Aug 24. PMID: 29579508

Abstract Title: 

Effects of Mandala Art Therapy on Subjective Well-being, Resilience, and Hope in Psychiatric Inpatients.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of Mandala art therapy on subjective well-being, resilience, and hope among psychiatric inpatients.METHODS: Recruited 36 people who had been treated as inpatients in a psychiatric ward at a university hospital in Seoul, South Korea, and divided them evenly into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was required to attend a total of 8 sessions of Mandala art therapy, twice per week, between August 11 and October 30, 2015; measures of the three main variables were administered at pre-test and post-test in both groups.RESULTS: Hope significantly increased in both groups, but the overall increase was greater in the experimental group (mean score of 9.5 and 15.3 at pre- and post-test, respectively) than in the control group (10.9 and 11.9).CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Mandala art therapy can have a positive effect on the hope of psychiatric inpatients. However, further research concerning its effects on subjective well-being and resilience, as well as other psychological constructs, is warranted to better understand the effects of Mandala art therapy on psychiatric inpatients.

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PMID: 

Australas Psychiatry. 2015 Feb ;23(1):49-53. Epub 2014 Dec 17. PMID: 25519999

Abstract Title: 

Mural art therapy for young offenders hospitalised with a mental illness.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To describe a mural art therapy project completed within an adolescent unit of a secure forensic psychiatric hospital.METHOD: The planning, implementation and consecutive stages of the mural art therapy project are described. Pertinent themes are identified.RESULTS: A cohort of adolescent forensic inpatients was engaged in a group therapeutic process involving collaboration, design and the completion of an art mural. The participants generally approved of the project and identified themes of gaining a sense of achievement, empowerment, teamwork, involvement and ownership. The art mural transformed and improved the visual and spatial environment of the Adolescent unit courtyard.CONCLUSIONS: Mural art therapy was acceptable to young offenders hospitalised with mental illness, which has relevance for adolescent psychiatric units and youth detention centres.

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PMID: 

J Pers Disord. 2018 08 ;32(4):527-542. Epub 2017 Sep 19. PMID: 28926306

Abstract Title: 

Efficacy of Art Therapy in Individuals With Personality Disorders Cluster B/C: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract: 

Multidisciplinary treatment programs for patients with personality disorders (PDs) often include art therapy, but the efficacy of this intervention has hardly been evaluated. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of an art therapy intervention on psychological functioning of patients with a PD. In this randomized controlled trial, 57 adult participants diagnosed with a PD cluster B/C (SCID-II) were randomly assigned to either weekly group art therapy (1.5 hours, 10 weeks) or a waiting list group. Outcome measures OQ45, AAQ-II, and SMI were assessed at baseline, at post-test (10 weeks after baseline), and at follow-up (5 weeks after post-test). The results show that art therapy is an effective treatment for PD patients because it not only reduces PD pathology and maladaptive modes but it also helps patients to develop adaptive, positive modes that indicate better mental health and self-regulation.

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PMID: 

Rehabil Nurs. 2017 Jan/Feb;42(1):39-45. PMID: 25865702

Abstract Title: 

The Effect of Art Therapy with Clay on Hopelessness Levels Among Neurology Patients.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the effect of art therapy with clay on hopelessness levels of patients under treatment in departments of neurology.DESIGN: The study was of one group, pre- and posttest design.METHODS: This study was performed on patients who were hospitalized in the neurology departments of a university and a state hospital between February and May 2012 in Turkey. The sample for the study comprised 50 neurology patients with diagnoses of epilepsy (17 patients) and stroke (33 patients). The patients in the study were asked to create objects of clay of any shape they desired. Data for the research were collected with a sociodemographic data form and by using the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS).FINDINGS: While BHS scores of neurology patients before clay therapy were found higher compared to the scores after therapy with clay, there was also a statistically significant difference. After clay therapy, BHS scores were lower in women, in married patients, in patients who suffered from a stroke, people who had chronic disease, people without psychological illness, and in the case of children.CONCLUSION: The study showed that clay therapy had an impact on the hopelessness levels of neurology patients.CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Art therapy with clay may be used for rehabilitation purposes in neurology patients, both in the hospital and at home after discharge.

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PMID: 

Trials. 2018 Nov 9 ;19(1):615. Epub 2018 Nov 9. PMID: 30413216

Abstract Title: 

Art therapy is associated with sustained improvement in cognitive function in the elderly with mild neurocognitive disorder: findings from a pilot randomized controlled trial for art therapy and music reminiscence activity versus usual care.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a phase in cognitive decline when it is still possible to intervene to reverse the decline. Cognitive stimulation delivered through psychosocial interventions provides both psychological intervention and social stimulation to improve cognition. A pilot open-label parallel-arms randomized controlled trial was undertaken to examine the effects of art therapy (AT) and music reminiscence activity (MRA) compared to the control, on the primary outcome of neurocognitive domain assessments in elderly people with MCI.METHODS: Community-living elderly people with MCI (Petersen's criteria), assessed for study eligibility, were randomized using a web-based system with equal allocation to two intervention arms: AT (guided viewing of art pieces and production of visual arts) and MRA (listening, and recalling memories related to music) and a control arm (standard care without any intervention). Interventions were led by trained therapists weekly for 3 months, then fortnightly for 6 months. Neurocognitive domains (mean of memory, attention, and visuo-spatial abilities standardized scores), psychological wellbeing (subsyndromal depression and anxiety) and telomere length as a biological marker of cellular ageing, were assessed by intervention-blinded assessors at baseline, 3 months and 9 months.RESULTS: In total, 250 people were screened and 68 were randomized and included in the analysis. In the AT arm, neurocognitive domains improved compared to the control arm at 3 months (mean difference (d) = 0.40; 90% CI 0.126, 0.679) and were sustained at 9 months (d = 0.31; 90% CI 0.068, 0.548). There wassome improvement in depression and anxiety at 3 and 9 months and in telomere length at 9 months, but this was not significant. Similar improvements were observed in the MRA arm over the control arm, but they were not significant. There were no intervention-related adverse effects.CONCLUSIONS: Art therapy delivered by trained staff as"art as therapy"and"art psychotherapy"may have been the significant contributor to cognitive improvements. The findings support cognitive stimulation for elderly people with cognitive decline and signal the need for larger studies and further investigation of carefully designed psycho-social interventions for this group.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov, NCT02854085 . Registered on 7 July 2016.

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PMID: 

Braz J Psychiatry. 2018 Jul-Sep;40(3):256-263. Epub 2018 Feb 1. PMID: 29412335

Abstract Title: 

Art therapy as an adjuvant treatment for depression in elderly women: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: There are few quantitative studies on art therapy for the treatment of depression. The objective of this study was to evaluate if art therapy is beneficial as an adjuvant treatment for depression in the elderly.METHODS: A randomized, controlled, single-blind study was carried out in a sample of elderly women with major depressive disorder (MDD) stable on pharmacotherapy. The experimental group (EG) was assigned to 20 weekly art therapy sessions (90 min/session). The control group (CG) was not subjected to any adjuvant intervention. Patients were evaluated at baseline and after 20 weeks, using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and cognitive measures.RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age revealed that women in EG (n=31) had significant improvement in GDS (p = 0.007), BDI (p = 0.025), and BAI (p = 0.032) scores as compared with controls (n=25). No difference was found in the cognitive measures.CONCLUSION: Art therapy as an adjunctive treatment for MDD in the elderly can improve depressive and anxiety symptoms.CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: RBR-2YXY7Z.

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