Effect Of Art Therapy On Psychological Condition Of Children Having Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Children with cancer face harmful unpleasant side effects that can be treated using complementary and alternative medicine, such as art therapy, to lessen their anxiety and stress (Mondanaro et al., 2021). The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of art therapy on psychological condition of children having Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) undergoing chemotherapy. A quasi-experimental design was utilized. This study was conducted at the In-Patient Pediatric Hematology Oncology Departments Children's Cancer Hospital Foundation- Egypt, Cairo (57357). A purposive sample of 50 children suffering from ALL undergoing chemotherapy was selected. Tools included an interviewing questionnaire, Psychological assessment scale for children to assess depression, anxiety and stress. The current study revealed there was a high statistical significant difference between pre/ post intervention regarding studied children total knowledge about art therapy where 98% of studied children had unsatisfactory knowledge pre intervention while 96% of them had satisfactory knowledge post intervention. Also, that there were a highly statistically significant differences found between studied children pre/ post intervention regarding their total depression, anxiety and stress respectively (p<0.001). Based on the findings of the study it was concluded that, the art therapy methods, reduced depression, anxiety and stress in children with ALL undergoing chemotherapy. Recommendation: Designing and implementing art therapy program for supporting psychological condition of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, undergoing chemotherapy. Furthermore, design psychological assessment sheet regarding stress, anxiety and depression assessment and being a routine for nurses.