The Effect of Mandala Art Therapy on Anxiety, Mood, and Plasma Glucose Levels in Pregnant Women with Abnormal OGTT Values: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background and purpose: Mandala is recognized as an art therapy that provides psychological support and healing. This study aimed to determine the effects of mandala art therapy on blood glucose levels, mood, and anxiety in pregnant women with abnormal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) values.

Materials and methods: This experimental study, designed as a pre-test post-test control group trial, was conducted in a public hospital in eastern Türkiye. The study involved 68 pregnant women (intervention group=34, control group=34). In the intervention group, the pregnant women received mandala art therapy twice: once at 0 hour after fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and once at 1 hour after plasma glucose (PG). Data collection tools included a Personal Information Form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Brief Mood Introspection Scale (BMIS), while glucose levels were obtained from patient records. Statistical analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation,chi-square test, independent samples t-test, paired t-test, and ANCOVA.

Results: Following the intervention, pregnant women in the intervention group had significantly lower post-test STAI total and BMIS-negative mood subscale mean scores compared to those in the control group (p<0.05). Additionally, those in the intervention group scored higher on the positive mood and overall mood subscales of BMIS compared to those in the control group (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups' FPG(0-hour), PG(1-hour), and PG(2-hour) measurements (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Mandala art therapy was found to reduce anxiety and negative mood while positively affecting positive mood and overall emotional well-being in pregnant women with abnormal OGTT values.