Art therapy for patients in acute psychotic episodes

Abstract

Purpose

Evaluate the efficacy of art therapy during acute psychotic episodes.

Methods

Thirty-six inpatients with ICD-diagnoses of schizophrenia (F20.0–F20.9) age between 20–60 were randomised to either 12 twice-weekly sessions of psychodynamic group art therapy plus treatment as usual or to standard treatment alone. Art therapy was administered in 12 sessions of 90 minutes for 6 weeks. At 12 weeks, 55% of patients randomised to art therapy, and 66% of patients receiving treatment as usual were examined. Scales used: 17 – Item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) for depression and Scale for the assessment of negative symptoms (SANS).

Interventions

The approach was non-directive – patients could choose to create whatever they wanted and use any available material. Interventions by the art therapist aimed at supporting the art process and helping to understand the image. The last 30 minutes of a session were reserved for a shared viewing and reflecting on the images.

Results

With post-treatment and follow-up scores of SANS and HRSD patients who had received AT had a significantly greater mean reduction of positive and negative and also depressive symptoms at 12-week follow-up than patients treated as usual. Social functioning was significantly higher in the AT group. There were no significant interactions between intervention group and gender.

Conclusion

Evidence on the efficacy and effectiveness of AT in patients with schizophrenia is far from being conclusive and benefits might be limited to a subgroup of patients. Results of this study suggest AT can be implemented in routine hospital settings for patients experiencing acute psychotic states.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.