Art Therapy Program in the Chronic Phase of Stroke

Université de Sherbrooke

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stroke

Treatments: Behavioral: art therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04963114

MP-31-2019-3003 - ART

Details and patient eligibility

About

INTRODUCTION: After stroke, perceptual impairments, such as negative body perception, contribute to social isolation and depression. In the subacute poststroke phase, art therapy is effective in improving depression, self-esteem, and community integration. Yet, no study has explored the effectiveness of art therapy at the chronic stage of a stroke; where motor recovery is slowed, and body image and self-esteem are deeply challenged.

OBJECTIVES: Primary; to assess the feasibility of an art therapy program (ATP) in the chronic phase of stroke. Secondary; to explore the effects of ATP on perceptual impairment (body image/self-esteem), mood and community integration.

METHOD: Nine adults (stroke ≥6 months) will participate in the ATP consisting of a thematic group visit to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts followed by an art workshop, supervised by an art therapist (7 visits over 4 months). Feasibility will be evaluated by triangulating data from interviews and subject assessment questionnaires and by assessing retention and attendance. The effects of the ATP will be assessed by changes in perceptual and mood impairment questionnaires (Body Image States, Self-Esteem scales, Beck Depression Inventory-Short-Form) and community integration questionnaire (The Community Integration Questionnaire).

EXPECTED RESULTS AND OUTCOMES: The project will confirm the feasibility of ATP to improve perceptual impairment and community integration post-stroke.

Enrollment: 7 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65 to 79 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• be in the chronic stroke phase (≥ 6 months since diagnosis)
• present a low score on the self-esteem scale (score < 32/40 on the French-Canadian Self Esteem Scale)
• present mild to moderate degree of depression (score 4 to 15 in the Beck Depression Abbreviated Inventory)

Exclusion criteria

• unable to move autonomously and safely on their own
• present aphasia (score < 28/35 in the communication section of the Stroke Impact Scale)
• present severe hemineglect (score > 70% in the Line Cancelation Test)
• present severe spasticity of the hemi-body (score ≥ 3 on the modified Ashworth scale)
• present cognitive impairment (score ≤ 2/5 in the Mini-Cog)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

7 participants in 1 patient group

Art therapy

Experimental group

Description:

art therapy in the form of a one-hour guided tour of art works followed by a two-hour guided creative painting workshop on specific themes such as beauty and wonder and colors and emotions

Treatment:

Behavioral: art therapy