CAS with Art and Chronic Pain: The Effects of Clearing a Space with Art on Women with Chronic Pain
Graduation Date
Spring 2013
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
Amy Backos, PhD, ATR-BC
Second Reader
Laury Rappaport, ATR-BC, REAT
Abstract
This research project studied the effects of Clearing a Space with Art, a Focusing Oriented Art Therapy (FOAT) approach (Rappaport, 2009) on women with chronic pain. It was hypothesized that Clearing a Space with Art would lead to measurable decreases in anxiety, depression and stress, increases in mindful awareness, decreases in pain intrusion and pain perception, and increases in pain accommodation. The study also hypothesized that the practice of FOAT would be perceived as beneficial to chronic pain sufferers thereby promoting its increased use and further research into its benefits.
Research was conducted in a group setting over the course of three sessions. The participants consisted of eight females who experience chronic pain, ranging in age from 32 to 82. Measurable depression decreased, mindful awareness and attention increased, and perceived pain decreased. Additionally, the majority of participants found Clearing a Space with Art to be relaxing and stated it would be a useful tool in their pain management.