Impact of a Single Art Therapy Session on Mood and Symptom Burden in Palliative Care

NCT06924268 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: 2025060172580
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to explore whether a single art therapy session can improve mood and reduce symptom burden in adult palliative care patients at a Canadian inpatient unit. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does a single art therapy session reduce overall symptom burden, as measured by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS)?
• Does a single art therapy session improve mood, as measured by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)? Participants will:
• Complete two short questionnaires (ESAS and PANAS) before and after the session
• Participate in a 30-60 minute individual art therapy session

Conditions

Emotional Distress; Pain; Anxiety

Keywords

Palliative; End of life; art therapy; quality of life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Positive and Negative Affect Scores Measured by PANAS Before and After Art Therapy

  The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) will be administered immediately before and immediately after a single art therapy session. PANAS is a self-reported 20-item scale measuring two mood domains: positive affect (10 items) and negative affect (10 items). Each item is rated on a scale from 1 (very slightly or not at all) to 5 (extremely), with subscale scores ranging from 10 to 50. Higher positive affect scores indicate more positive mood; higher negative affect scores indicate more distress.

  Immediately before and immediately after the art therapy session

• Change in Symptom Burden Measured by Modified ESAS Before and After Art Therapy

  The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) will be used to assess physical and emotional symptom burden immediately before and immediately after the art therapy session. ESAS consists of 9 core symptoms (e.g., pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, depression) each rated on a numeric scale from 0 (none) to 10 (worst possible severity). A total symptom score is calculated as the sum of all items, with higher scores indicating greater symptom burden. We will be using a modified version that does not include nausea, drowsiness, loss of appetite and dyspnea. The symptom "sadness" will be added to our assessment.

  Immediately before and immediately after the art therapy session

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Changes in PRN Opioid Use in the 48 Hours Before and After Art Therapy

  48 hours before and 48 hours after the art therapy session

• Changes in PRN Benzodiazepine and Z-Drug Use in the 48 Hours Before and After Art Therapy

  48 hours before and 48 hours after the art therapy session

Interventions

Single Art Therapy Session BEHAVIORAL

Each participant will engage in a 30-60 minute structured art therapy session using pre-drawn coloring sheets featuring themes such as mandalas, nature scenes, and inspirational designs. A variety of coloring tools will be provided, including crayons, colored pencils, markers, gel pens, and watercolor paints. Sessions will be facilitated by the primary investigator, who will provide non-directive prompts and engage in casual conversation to foster comfort and engagement.

Also known as: Visual arts therapy, Expressive arts

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Palliative Care In-Patients at the VG, 7A Palliative Care Unit

You may qualify if:

• admitted to the PCU
• have the ability to communicate
• complete self-assessments with or without facilitator assistance
• possess the ability to engage in a 30-60 minute art therapy session

You may not qualify if:

• Patients will be excluded if they are under 18 years of age
• within 48hrs of admission or discharge
• experiencing severe cognitive impairment, uncontrolled symptoms, or delirium.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Nova Scotia Health Authority: lead
• Dalhousie University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Nova Scotia Health

Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V7, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain; Anxiety Disorders; Death

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders; Pathologic Processes

Study Officials

• Caitlin Lees, MA, MSc, MD, FRCPC

  Nova Scotia Health Authority

  STUDY CHAIR

• Jonathan Clements, BSc

  Dalhousie University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Lindsay Flinn, MD, CCFP (PC)

  Nova Scotia Health Authority

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 31, 2025
• First Posted: April 11, 2025
• Study Start: June 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)