Virtual Art Therapy for Cancer Survivors

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Regina Becker

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mayo Clinic

Disqualifiers: Recent art therapy, Visual impairment, Suicidality

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 16

Duration: 8 weeks

20 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if virtual art therapy can improve mental and emotional well-being in young adults who have survived cancer. It focuses on issues like anxiety, depression, and stress, which many young cancer survivors face after treatment. Participants will engage in online art therapy sessions and receive a 3D printed model of their artwork. This trial suits young adults who have undergone cancer treatment in the last five years and currently experience some level of depression. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative therapy methods and contribute to research that could benefit future cancer survivors.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What prior data suggests that this virtual art therapy is safe for cancer survivors?

Research shows that virtual art therapy is safe and well-tolerated for cancer patients. Studies have found that this therapy can help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. In one study, adults with cancer felt better after participating in art therapy, suggesting it can boost mood and overall well-being.

Art therapy has not been associated with serious side effects. As a non-invasive treatment, it doesn't involve surgery or medicine, often making it safer. Participants usually engage in activities like drawing or painting, which are not known to cause harm.

Researchers are also studying this therapy for other mental health benefits, which adds to its safety profile. While specific data on side effects for virtual art therapy is lacking, the general findings from art therapy in cancer care are encouraging. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about virtual art therapy for cancer survivors because it offers a unique, innovative approach to supportive care. Unlike traditional therapies that often focus solely on physical health, this treatment leverages creative expression to potentially enhance emotional well-being and quality of life. The therapy is delivered online, making it easily accessible, and it culminates in the creation of a personalized 3D-printed avatar, which can serve as a powerful, tangible reminder of the survivor's journey and personal growth. This novel method could transform how emotional healing is integrated into cancer recovery.

What evidence suggests that virtual art therapy is effective for improving biopsychosocial outcomes in cancer survivors?

Studies have shown that art therapy can greatly help cancer survivors by reducing feelings of depression, anxiety, and tiredness. For example, a 2020 review of twelve studies found that art therapy improved the quality of life for cancer patients. Another study found that art therapy lifted mood and lowered anxiety and pain levels. Research suggests that creating art can help people deal with trauma and feel more in control. While more data is still being collected, these findings suggest that art therapy, such as the virtual art therapy sessions tested in this trial, could support better mental health for cancer survivors. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

C. Robert Bennett, PhD, RN

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adults aged 18-25 who have survived cancer, can use Zoom on a device, and read/write in English. They should either be recently diagnosed or finished treatment within the last five years and show signs of mild depression.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 25 years old and can give my consent.

I can access Zoom on a device for video calls.

I can read and write in English.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants complete virtual art therapy sessions, over 60 minutes, every 2 weeks, for 4 sessions. Patients then receive a 3D printed replica of their avatar.

8 weeks

4 virtual sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

36 weeks

Follow-up assessments at 12, 24, and 36 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Art Therapy

Trial Overview The AVATARS trial tests virtual art therapy to help these survivors with anxiety, depression, stress, resilience, emotional control, and thinking skills. It uses creative art to help them express feelings and process trauma virtually.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Supportive care (Virtual art therapy) Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Patients complete virtual art therapy sessions, over 60 minutes, every 2 weeks, for 4 sessions. Patients then receive a 3D printed replica of their avatar.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mayo Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40781207/

Effectiveness of art interventions on improving ... Art-based interventions offer accessible and non-invasive approaches to improving psychological outcomes for survivors of breast cancer.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1462388924002539

The effectiveness of art-based interventions for cancer ... (2020) evaluated twelve studies and found that art therapy significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and fatigue while also improving the QoL in cancer ...

3. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2823638

Active Visual Art Therapy and Health Outcomes Based on the available evidence, active visual art therapy was associated with an improvement in 18% of the patient outcomes.

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07089927

Study Details | NCT07089927 | Virtual Art Therapy Assisted ... This clinical trial tests the feasibility, usability and acceptability of a virtual art therapy assisted re-integration (AVATARS) intervention ...

5. bmccancer.biomedcentral.com bmccancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12885-020-07380-5

A pilot study of improved psychological distress with art ... Our results suggest that art therapy effectively improved mood, and reduced both anxiety and pain levels among all patients with cancer ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7177989/

Outcomes of Therapeutic Artmaking in Patients ... Studies have reported decreased depression and anxiety in cancer patients after a mindfulness-based art therapy intervention.

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197455624000078

The impact of group art therapy in post-acute cancer care This qualitative study explored the impact of an eight session group art therapy programme on the lived experiences of adults in the post-acute treatment phase ...

8. mayo.edu mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials/cls-20585436

Adolescent And Young Adult Virtual Art Therapy Assisted ... The purpose of this study will investigate digitally administered creative art therapy's feasibility and impact on biopsychosocial outcomes in Black, Indigenous ...

9. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1570798/full

Effectiveness of creative arts therapies/expressive arts ... Artmaking may positively affect anxiety, depression, and QoL in adults with cancer. Most of the 654 patients included in a study by Bosman ...