Understanding clinical benefits of modeling clay exploration with patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Objective: This pilot study attempted to reduce negative ruminating thoughts in patients with Parkinson's disease engaged in a creative art therapy experience.

Hypothesis: The participants will significantly lower measures of depression, obsessive–compulsive symptoms, and phobic anxiety as a result of the manipulation of modeling clay.

Research design: A single sample pretest–posttest research design was employed to assess the effects of modeling clay manipulation on self-report symptoms of psychopathology among Parkinson patients.

Methods: A total of 22 patients (16 males, 6 females, mean age 71) diagnosed with Parkinson's disease completed the Brief Symptom Inventory pre- and post-session, asked to manipulate a ball of modeling clay, and respond to follow up questions.

Main outcome and results: Three measures were included as indicators for patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease psychological adjustment: depression, obsessive–compulsive behaviors and phobic anxiety. Quantitative results showed a positive outcome with a significant decrease in all three areas at a level similar to the average adult norm.

Conclusions: The research demonstrates and supports the value of engaging the patient diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in creative expression to enhance quality of life by expanding the patient's aesthetic experience.

Implications for further research: Further research is suggested for other chronic conditions that involve depression, obsessive–compulsive behaviors and phobic symptoms.

Keywords:

• Parkinson's
• art therapy
• phobia
• obsessive–compulsive
• depression