Testing the efficacy of a creative‐arts intervention with family caregivers of patients with cancer

SM Walsh, SC Martin…�- Journal of Nursing�…, 2004 - Wiley Online Library
SM Walsh, SC Martin, LA Schmidt
Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2004Wiley Online Library
Purpose: To test the efficacy of a creative arts intervention (CAI) with family caregivers of
patients with cancer. Design: A pre‐posttest quasi‐experimental design, with participation in
the CAI as the independent variable and stress, anxiety, and emotions as the dependent
variables. Method: The 6‐month study was implemented at a regional cancer treatment
center with family caregivers. The CAI consisted of several creative arts activities designed
for delivery at the bedside. Findings: Forty family caregivers reported significantly reduced�…
Purpose : To test the efficacy of a creative arts intervention (CAI) with family caregivers of patients with cancer.
Design : A pre‐posttest quasi‐experimental design, with participation in the CAI as the independent variable and stress, anxiety, and emotions as the dependent variables.
Method : The 6‐month study was implemented at a regional cancer treatment center with family caregivers. The CAI consisted of several creative arts activities designed for delivery at the bedside.
Findings : Forty family caregivers reported significantly reduced stress, lowered anxiety, and increased positive emotions following CAI participation.
Conclusions : The CAI promoted short‐term well being in this family caregiver sample. Caregivers also increased positive communication with cancer patients and health care providers while expressing delight over their handmade pieces of art.
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