Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Enhance Quality of Life
Graduation Date
Fall 2011
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Degree Granting Institution
Notre Dame de Namur University
Program Name
Art Therapy
Dean
John Lemmon, PhD
First Reader
Richard Carolan, EdD, ATR-BC
Second Reader
Laury Rappaport, PhD, ATR-BC
Abstract
Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disabling disease in which the immune system attacks the brain and the spinal cord. Stress has been identified as one of the many factors that can precipitate such attacks. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is often much reduced among individuals with MS, and incidence of depression, fatigue, and anxiety is high. The purpose of this grant is to request funding for a research trial on MS patients that will examine the effects of a mindfulness-based art therapy approach, Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy (FOAT). FOAT is an experiential therapy in which Focusing provides the inner direction while art therapy offers the outer expression to generate a healing response.
Research hypothesis: The study hypothesizes that FOAT will reduce stress therefore increasing quality of life in patients suffering from MS.
Research Method and Design: This is a 6-month prospective, randomized, controlled trial investigating the efficacy of seven FOAT intervention sessions administered every 2 weeks over 3 months using validated repeated measures of quality of life questionnaires on 30 MS participants (15 treated and 15 control MS participants) recruited from the Yale University Multiple Sclerosis Center.