Digital Art Therapy for Young Cancer Survivors

Overseen By Patricia Brock

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Lack interest in art, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 weeks

15 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This is a single-site, single-arm, interventional study assessing the feasibility of the ARTCan Therapy Application (App) and whether it is an acceptable means of administering art therapy to young adult cancer survivors. The ARTCan Therapy App guides participants through a 6-week digital art therapy program. Subjects will participate in weekly art therapy prompts guided by the app and will complete weekly mental health quality of life (MHQoL) surveys during the intervention. In addition, baseline and end-of-intervention patient-reported outcome measures (PROMIS-DSF8a) and an acceptability survey will be administered. The hypothesis is that digital art therapy is feasible for young adult cancer survivors with self-reported mood issues and is an acceptable means of administering art therapy in the patient population.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on digital art therapy, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment ARTCan App in the clinical trial Digital Art Therapy for Young Cancer Survivors?

Research shows that art therapy can improve quality of life and reduce stress, anxiety, and fatigue in cancer patients. Studies have found that engaging in creative activities like painting and handcrafting can help children and adults cope better with cancer treatments. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is digital art therapy safe for young cancer survivors?

Research on art therapy, including painting and creative arts therapy, suggests it is generally safe and can improve quality of life and well-being for cancer patients, including children. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

How is the ARTCan App treatment different from other treatments for young cancer survivors?

The ARTCan App offers a unique digital art therapy experience specifically designed for young cancer survivors, focusing on creative expression to improve quality of life and reduce psychological symptoms, unlike traditional treatments that may not incorporate digital or creative elements. ^{1 3 4 6 8}

Research Team

Soma Sengupta, MD

Principal Investigator

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young adult cancer survivors who have had a brain tumor or pediatric cancer. They should be interested in using digital art therapy and willing to complete weekly mental health surveys.

Inclusion Criteria

I had cancer as a child and have finished my treatment.

Reliable internet connection and access to a computer, smartphone, or iPad to support application and virtual study visits

Answers 'yes' to the question 'Do you experience mood issues (yes or no)?'

Exclusion Criteria

I am unable to give consent by myself.

Other conditions or factors which in the opinion of the PI would not make the patient a good candidate for the study

All subjects meeting any of the exclusion criteria at baseline will be excluded from study participation

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive digital art therapy via the ARTCan App for 6 weeks, with weekly art therapy prompts and mental health quality of life surveys

6 weeks

Weekly virtual sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• ARTCan App

Trial Overview The ARTCan Therapy App, which guides participants through a 6-week digital art therapy program, is being tested for its feasibility and acceptability as an art therapy tool for these survivors.

Participant Groups

Group I: Digital Art Therapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All participants will receive art therapy via the ARTCan App for 6 weeks, and will also be prompted to complete mental health quality of life surveys at baseline and each week, which will be available for the therapist to review.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

377

Recruited

95,900+

Ian's Friends Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

20+

Findings from Research

A study involving 60 children aged 7-13 with cancer showed that those who participated in painting and handcrafting art therapy experienced significant improvements in physical activity, emotional well-being, and social engagement compared to a control group.

The art therapy led to better overall health status and reduced feelings of depression and stress, indicating that creative activities can enhance the quality of life for pediatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of group art therapy on quality of life in paediatric patients with cancer: A randomized controlled trial. Abdulah, DM., Abdulla, BMO.[2019]

Creative arts therapy (CAT) is defined as a therapeutic approach that uses creative expression to help children with cancer, showing potential benefits in improving their quality of life and reducing psychosocial symptoms.

The analysis indicates that CAT can lead to significant positive outcomes, such as decreased distress and cancer pain, highlighting its importance in pediatric oncology care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Creative Arts Therapy in the Context of Children With Cancer: A Concept Analysis. Raybin, JL., Krajicek, M.[2020]

Art interventions may help improve the well-being of children with cancer by reducing anxiety, fear, and pain, as well as enhancing communication with healthcare providers, based on a review of six studies involving children aged 2-21 undergoing treatment.

The evidence is still limited and primarily qualitative, indicating a need for more rigorous research before art therapy can be routinely included in cancer treatment protocols for children.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promotion of Well-being During Treatment for Childhood Cancer: A Literature Review of Art Interventions as a Coping Strategy. Derman, YE., Deatrick, JA.[2021]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of art therapy in cancer care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. [2021]

2. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reliability and first validity of the inner correspondence questionnaire for painting therapy (ICPTh) in a sample of breast cancer patients. [2019]

3. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of group art therapy on quality of life in paediatric patients with cancer: A randomized controlled trial. [2019]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of creative art therapy on fatigue and quality of life in patients treated for localized breast cancer: A randomized study. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Outcomes of Therapeutic Artmaking in Patients Undergoing Radiation Oncology Treatment: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Creative Arts Therapy in the Context of Children With Cancer: A Concept Analysis. [2020]

7. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A comparative study of art therapy in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and improvement in quality of life by watercolor painting. [2017]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promotion of Well-being During Treatment for Childhood Cancer: A Literature Review of Art Interventions as a Coping Strategy. [2021]