| Abstract [eng] |
Topic of the study: The impact of art therapy on the psycho-emotional state and quality of life of breast cancer patients. Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignant tumors among women. The diagnosis of this disease affects the psychological, cognitive, social, physical and everyday aspects of life. In order to return a person to the roles they had before the disease, rehabilitation is applied to oncological patients from the beginning of treatment. The rehabilitation team improves the patients' lost functions, but according to research, patients tend to ignore the psycho-emotional disorders that have arisen after the disease, they are afraid to seek help due to many reasons. However, as treatment methods improve, new methods of improving psycho-emotional health are emerging that can offer an easier and more acceptable approach to patients, one of which is art therapy. It is a creative activity that improves functions including emotional, psychological, social, cognitive disorders, improves self-confidence and quality of life. The aim of study: To determine the effect of art therapy on the psycho-emotional state and quality of life of women with breast cancer. The object of study: The effect of art therapy on self-confidence, anxiety and stress levels, and quality of life. The subject of study: The women with breast cancer who belong to the "POLA" association. Research objectives: 1. To discuss the characteristics of the psycho-emotional state and quality of life experienced by women with breast cancer presented in the scientific literature, and the possibilities of applying art therapy. 2. To determine the change in the emotional state and quality of life indicators of the study participants, before and after art therapy. 3. To reveal the deeper self-perception of the study participants, the expression of emotional health, using symbolism in drawings. Research methods: The study involved 15 women who received art therapy. Data for the study results were collected using the quality of life questionnaires EORTC QLQ C-30 and QLQ BR23, information shared during discussion, and the content analysis method of drawings. Results: After 10 art therapy sessions, the study participants showed significant (p<0.05) improvements in physical activity, emotional and psychological state, cognitive and hand functions. A decrease in IQR indicators was observed in 9 out of 10 categories, as indicated by more similar results in the group. Based on the analysis of the drawings, after the applied art therapy, women were able to express accumulated emotions, using symbols, colors and creativity. Conclusions: 1. After reviewing the scientific literature on the psycho-emotional state and quality of life among women with breast cancer, it can be stated that women face factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, self-doubt due to lost functions and altered body image. Due to these factors, emotional, work, social and cognitive functions, relationships with loved ones and quality of life deteriorate. When applying art therapy methods, studies prove improved indicators of these functions. 2. We found that art therapy improved the results of the subjects in all studied categories, improving (p<0.05) the subjects' physical activity, emotional and psychological state, cognitive functioning and hand function. Art therapy had a positive effect on the subjects' physical and psycho-emotional health. 3. Using the content analysis method of drawings, the reviewed works of the study participants showed that women faced self-doubt, lack of stability and inner strength. After art therapy, the study participants more effectively recognized and expressed their emotions using different creative methods. Art therapy helped women with breast cancer to creatively perceive their inner world and reflect it as a single object through the learned art therapy methods. |
