CAS with Art and Chronic Pain: The Effects of Clearing a Space with Art on Women with Chronic Pain

<p>This research project studied the effects of Clearing a Space with Art, a Focusing Oriented Art Therapy (FOAT) approach (Rappaport, 2009) on women with chronic pain. It was hypothesized that Clearing a Space with Art would lead to measurable decreases in anxiety, depression and stress, increases in mindful awareness, decreases in pain intrusion and pain perception, and increases in pain accommodation. The study also hypothesized that the practice of FOAT would be perceived as beneficial to chronic pain sufferers thereby promoting its increased use and further research into its benefits.</p> <p>Research was conducted in a group setting over the course of three sessions. The participants consisted of eight females who experience chronic pain, ranging in age from 32 to 82. Measurable depression decreased, mindful awareness and attention increased, and perceived pain decreased. Additionally, the majority of participants found Clearing a Space with Art to be relaxing and stated it would be a useful tool in their pain management.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Art Therapy

Year dc:date.available

2013

Author dc:creator

• McGrath, Jenny

Contributors dc:contributor

• Amy Backos, PhD, ATR-BC
• Laury Rappaport, ATR-BC, REAT

• Art Therapy
• Chronic Pain
• Counseling Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.dominican.edu/art-therapy-print-theses/257

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.dominican.edu:art-therapy-print-theses-1256