Art Therapy for Chronic Stress: Findings From Two Studies of Biological and

Psychological Changes Through Artmaking and Art Therapy

Abstract

Research indicates that some amount of stress is essential for healthy development;

however, chronic and persistent stress can lead to many adverse health problems, including

physical illnesses, as well as mental, emotional, and social problems (Baum & Polsusnzy, 1999;

Larzelere & Jones, 2008; McEwen, 2004). Recent research in art therapy has begun to

empirically explore the application of biological indicators and brain imaging data (King, 2016).

Forty-five minutes of creative self-expression in an art therapy open studio format was found to

lower cortisol levels in healthy adults and improve mood (Authors, 2016; Authors 2016). In

brain imaging research, art therapists explored the use of qEEG as a marker of changes in

brainwave activity for different types of media (Kruk, Aravich, Deaver, & deBeus, 2014) and

difference between artists’ and nonartists’ brains. (Belkofer, VanHecke, & Konopka, 2014).

Few studies have examined the differences in outcomes between art therapy sessions and

individual artmaking and narrative therapy for individuals facing persistent stress. In this

presentation, we will present findings from two studies where we examine how brief art therapy

session outcomes differ in terms of physical and psychological functioning for individuals facing

chronic stress.

Findings from two studies will be presented. 1) The first is a between-subjects

experimental study that examines outcomes for caregivers for patients at end-of-life. Forty

participants were enrolled in the study (n=20 in the art therapy treatment group and n= 20 in the

narrative interview control group). Results indicate that participants in the art therapy group

reported improved mood and lowered stress compared with the control group. Analysis of the
biomarker data is ongoing. 2) The second study is a within-subjects experimental design that

examined differences between an art therapy session and an individual coloring activity session

for individuals facing workplace stress. The study participants (n=35) completed two sessions

each of the treatment and control conditions. Findings indicate that biomarkers like IL-10, IL-6,

TNF-alpha, and cortisol were lowered but salivary alpha amylase and oxytocin were not

significantly different for both conditions. Analysis of additional biomarker data is ongoing.

Using findings from the mixed methods experimental studies conducted by the authors,

the presentation aims to highlight the differences in results between individual artmaking and art

therapy sessions facilitated by an art therapist. Data-driven studies are needed for the

advancement of the field. Most studies to date have focused on self-report survey data and

narrative data. Biological indicators are a valuable source of data that offer more objective

perspectives on the health outcomes of art therapy approaches and interventions and the

presentation aims to encourage research in the field.

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