Virtual vs Physical Art Therapy for Anxiety, Psychological Well-being, and Sleep Quality in Colorectal Cancer Patients

NCT07464626 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: DokuzEU-SBE-EUT-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 78
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of virtual reality-based art therapy and physical art therapy on anxiety, psychological well-being, and sleep quality in patients with colorectal cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy. A total of 78 patients will be randomly assigned to three groups: a virtual reality art therapy group, a physical art therapy group, and a control group. Participants in the intervention groups will receive art therapy sessions every two weeks for eight weeks (four sessions in total). Anxiety, psychological well-being, and sleep quality will be assessed using validated scales before the intervention and after the fourth session. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of non-pharmacological supportive care interventions for oncology patients.

Conditions

Sleep Disturbance; Colorectal Cancer (Diagnosis); Anxiety

Keywords

Art Therapy; Virtual Reality Art Therapy; Psychological Well-being; Sleep Quality; Cancer Supportive Care; Non-pharmacological Intervention

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Anxiety Level

  Anxiety levels will be assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The anxiety subscale consists of 7 items with scores ranging from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate higher levels of anxiety.

  Baseline and after completion of the fourth intervention session (8 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Psychological Well-being

  Baseline and after completion of the fourth intervention session (8 weeks)

• Change in Sleep Quality

  Baseline and after completion of the fourth intervention session (8 weeks)

Study Arms (3)

Virtual Reality Art Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive virtual reality-based art therapy using a virtual reality headset and motion controllers. Patients will create drawings in a virtual painting environment using the Vermillion VR painting application. Sessions will be conducted every two weeks for eight weeks, for a total of four sessions.

Behavioral: Virtual Reality Art Therapy

Physical Art Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive traditional art therapy sessions using colored pencils and paper. Sessions will be conducted every two weeks for eight weeks, for a total of four sessions.

Behavioral: Physical Art Therapy

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group will receive routine care without art therapy interventions. Outcome measurements will be collected at baseline and at the end of the study period.

Interventions

Virtual Reality Art Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Participants will engage in art-making activities using a virtual reality headset and motion controllers. The Vermillion VR painting application will be used to allow participants to create drawings in an immersive virtual environment. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes and will be conducted every two weeks for a total of four sessions.

Virtual Reality Art Therapy

Physical Art Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Participants will engage in structured art-making activities using colored pencils and paper. Each participant will receive standard drawing materials and will be guided through therapeutic drawing exercises aimed at promoting emotional expression and stress reduction. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes and will be conducted every two weeks for a total of four sessions.

Physical Art Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Dokuz Eylul University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Dokuz Eylul University Hospital

Izmir, Balçova, 35330, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Related Publications (4)

• Kaimal G, Ray K, Muniz J. Reduction of cortisol levels and participants' responses following art making. Art Therapy. 2016;33(2):74-80.

  BACKGROUND

• Hacmun I, Regev D, Solomon V. Art therapy in virtual reality: A qualitative study of art therapists' perspectives. Frontiers in Psychology. 2021.

  BACKGROUND

• Jiang XH, Chen XJ, Xie QQ, et al. Effects of art therapy in cancer care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Cancer Care. 2020;29:e13277.

  BACKGROUND

• Bosman JT, Bood ZM, Scherer-Rath M, et al. The effects of art therapy on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in adults with cancer: A systematic literature review. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2021;29:2289-2298.

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Colorectal Neoplasms; Disease; Anxiety Disorders; Parasomnias; Psychological Well-Being; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Intestinal Neoplasms; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Digestive System Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Digestive System Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Colonic Diseases; Intestinal Diseases; Rectal Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Personal Satisfaction; Behavior; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias

Central Study Contacts

Esra Uslu Tanis, Msc

CONTACT

+0905070049860; essrausl@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Due to the nature of the intervention, participants and researchers cannot be blinded.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to three parallel groups: a virtual reality art therapy group, a physical art therapy group, and a control group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 7, 2026
• First Posted: March 11, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 30, 2027
• Last Updated: March 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)