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Cited by 110Art Therapy and Mental HealthPalliative and Oncologic CareChildhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life

The Efficacy of Art Therapy in Pediatric Oncology Patients: An Integrative Literature Review

Aguilar, Bree A.·2017·Journal of Pediatric Nursing
DOI 10.1016/j.pedn.2017.06.015
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Abstract

Problem Children undergoing cancer treatment experience detrimental adverse side effects that may be addressed with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) such as art therapy. The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of art therapy in pediatric patients living with cancer.Eligibility criteria An integrative literature review was conducted using the CINAHL, OVID Medline, and PsycINFO databases. Studies were included if they were a primary source utilizing an art therapy intervention in children with cancer age birth to 18years old, was published between the year 2000 and 2016, and written in the English language.Sample Seven primary sources met inclusion criteria.Results Few studies were reported in this review. Findings of this review suggest that children who participated in various forms of drawing interventions exhibited enhanced communication with family members and healthcare providers. Additionally, children were able to better express underlying emotions, developed more effective coping skills, and experienced a reduction in adverse side effects.Conclusions Implementing a drawing intervention or other forms of art into the holistic care of a pediatric oncology patient may assist in maximizing quality of life and allow for a more tolerable lifestyle.Implications Acquiring a means of proper communication with children through art allows nurses to gain insight on the needs of this special patient population, resulting in a higher quality plan of care.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.pedn.2017.06.015

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22 of 22 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The application of AVAT extends beyond psychiatric, psychosomatic, psychological, or neurological disorders: it is also used to complement the treatment of cystic fibrosis or cancer, to build up resilience and well-being, or to stop adolescents from smoking.

    “However, the application of AVAT extends beyond that, thereby broadening its potential benefits: it is also used to complement the treatment of cystic fibrosis [8] or cancer [9, 10], to build up resilience and well-being [11, 12], or to stop adolescents from smoking [13].”

    From The effect of active visual art therapy on health outcomes: protocol of a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (2022) · cites this paper as [9]

  • An integrative review of six qualitative studies indicated that children who took part in drawing interventions were able to better express their emotions, developed more effective coping skills, experienced improvements in cancer-related symptoms, and showed enhanced communication with family members and caregivers.

    “In another integrative review by Aguilar (2017) evaluating the benefits of art therapy for pediatric cancer patients, six qualitative studies were identified, indicating that children who took part in drawing interventions were able to better express their emotions, developed more effective coping skills, experienced improvements in cancer-related symptoms, and showed enhanced communication with”

    From Psychosocial and Integrative Oncology: Interventions Across the Disease Trajectory. (2023) · cites this paper as Aguilar 2017

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Authors
Aguilar, B. A.
Affiliations
DePaul University (US)
Corresponding author
Aguilar, Bree A.
Venue
Journal of Pediatric Nursing
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-09
Volume
36
Pages
173-178
ISSN
0882-5963 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.pedn.2017.06.015
OpenAlex
W2724910308
Cited by
110
References
25
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 1
FWCI
62.72
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Pediatric Nursing (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Conservation › Art Therapy and Mental Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative and Oncologic Care
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
Keywords
art therapy, pediatric oncology, childhood cancer, complementary and alternative medicine, coping strategies, adverse effects, family communication, nurse-patient communication, quality of life, holistic care
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Art Therapy, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Male, Neoplasms, Pediatrics, Quality of Life, Stress, Psychological, Treatment Outcome

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