The Effects Of Chinese Calligraphy On Reducing Anxiety And Comorbid Depression Levels Among Breast Cancer Patients In Hong Kong

<p>Problem</p> <p>Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Anxiety is a prevalent psychological concern in breast cancer patients and has negative impact on the course of their disease, treatment and recovery. This study was to investigate the effects of Chinese calligraphy on reducing the anxiety and comorbid depression levels among Hong Kong breast cancer patients with an intention to support the needs of breast cancer patients by providing alternative therapy that is culturally receptive. The primary objective of the study was to examine to what extent Chinese calligraphy intervention can reduce the anxiety and comorbid depression levels among the breast cancer patients in Hong Kong.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A one group repeated measures design was applied to the study. Participants were required to join eight-90 minute sessions of Chinese calligraphy intervention. Physiological measurements including blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate and self-reported psychological measurements including the full version of <em>State-Trait Anxiety Inventory </em>(STAI) and the short version <em>Depression Anxiety Stress Scale</em> (DASS 21) were used. Blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate were measured at the baselines, before and after each intervention. The STAI and DASS 21 were measured at the baselines, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks of Chinese calligraphy intervention. A total of 45 female Hong Kong breast cancer patients participated in the research, and 30 of them finished all eight interventions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results showed that calligraphy significantly reduced heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, as well as self-reported state-trait anxiety levels, depression levels and stress levels in breast cancer patients who received an eight-90 minute Chinese calligraphy intervention. Two hypotheses were supported by the results of the research: 1) There was a physiological slowing effect in blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate among breast cancer patients after the intervention; 2) Breast cancer patients had reduced scores on self-reported measures on anxiety and comorbid depression levels after the intervention.<strong><em></em></strong></p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These data suggest that Chinese calligraphy may be an effective alternative intervention to reduce the anxiety and comorbid depression levels among breast cancer patients in Hong Kong.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Counseling Psychology, Ph.D.

Year dc:date.available

2017

Author dc:creator

• Liu, Anna

Contributors dc:contributor

• Carole Woolford-Hunt
• Jeannie Montagono
• Jimmy Kijai

• Calligraphy
• Patients
• Cancer
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Arts and Humanities
• Clinical Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/1636

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.andrews.edu:dissertations-2905