Effectiveness of art therapy interventions for treating pain and anxiety in adolescents in the emergency department.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of art therapy in reducing pain and anxiety in adolescents with painful conditions treated in the ED.

Methods: We conducted a prospective pilot study of patients 12-18 years old presenting with a painful condition to a tertiary-care children's hospital ED. Primary outcome was pain intensity measured using the Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (scored 0-10); a decrease of ≥ 20% was clinically significant. Anxiety was measured using the short-form six-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (scored 20-80: 20-40 = zero-low anxiety; 41-60 = moderate anxiety; 61-80 = high anxiety); a change from higher to lower category was clinically significant. Outcomes were measured at baseline, immediately after, and 1 h after art therapy completion. A standardized interview was conducted immediately after art therapy completion.

Results: We enrolled a convenience sample of 50 patients. Mean duration of art therapy was 34.7 min. Mean baseline pain was 6.2 and decreased by 23.2% (95% CI 14.9-31.5) and 28.6% (95% CI 9.2-48), immediately after and 1 h after art therapy completion, respectively. Mean baseline anxiety was 48 (moderate) and decreased to 38 (low) and 43 (moderate) at the same time points, respectively. Forty-eight patients (96%) reported feelings of relaxation, decreased pain intensity, and/or empowerment (e.g., "Very relaxing"; "I didn't feel as much pain"; "Really showed my emotions"; "A way to explain to doctors what I'm feeling and what parts hurt").

Conclusion: Art therapy may be associated with clinically significant decreases and qualitative improvements in pain and anxiety in adolescents with painful conditions being treated in the ED. This novel treatment may improve the holistic care of adolescents with painful conditions in the ED.