Oncology expressive arts: providing a window to reflect on a stressful experience

Abstract

Purpose

Evaluate changes in mood, perceived need for help, and task enjoyment after participation in a one-time Oncology on Canvas expressive arts workshop intervention.

Methods

Mixed methods design. Sample: military-veteran oncology survivors and their adult `ohana (family members, caregivers, friends, healthcare providers, volunteers). Measurement tools: Emotion Thermometers, Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist-Revised, Task Enjoyment Question, semi-structured interviews, and self-reflective narratives. Colaizzi’s Phenomenological Method was used to conduct a thematic analysis.

Findings

Significant improvements in mood, increased task enjoyment, and decreased perceived need for help, with continued effects for up to 30-60 days post-intervention.

Conclusions

A one-time expressive arts workshop intervention can provide a window for oncology survivors and their adult `ohana to reflect on a stressful experience.

Implications for Psychosocial Providers

Psychosocial healthcare providers (APRNs, nurse educators, LCSWs, psychologists) who are not professional art therapists can effectively implement expressive arts workshops as a cost-effective intervention for oncology survivors and their `ohana.

Keywords:

• cancer
• creative arts
• expressive arts
• mood
• oncology
• survivors

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Michael Lustik for assisting with the research protocol and statistical analysis. This study was approved by the Department of Clinical Investigation’s Institutional Review Board.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was identified by the authors. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the United States Government.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by a grant from the University of Hawai'i Cancer Center through a donation from Women’s Veterans Fund. The military Hawaìi OOC expressive arts workshops⁶ are supported by the Hawai‘i Oncology Nursing Society, and the military medical center’s interdisciplinary oncology team members.