Authors (including presenting author) :
Ng PY (1) , Cheung K(2), Eunis Ma(2), Hui WY (1), Yau NY (1), Ip KW (1), Lee CF (1), Chan CK (1), Leung SK (1) , Cheng PS (1), Sunny Shek (1), Shum CM (1), Poon TC (1) , Leung HC (1) , Leung YT(1), Yip YY (1), Tang SN (1)
(1) Community Psychiatric Services, Kwai Chung Hospital (2) The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Affiliation :
Community Psychiatric Services, Kwai Chung Hospital
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Introduction :
Recovery from mental illness has evolved from a focus on symptom reduction to enhancing personal well-being. Research indicates that art-based workshops have positive effects on mental health, particularly for individuals with mood disorders, by reducing depression, anxiety and stress while fostering positive emotions. Zentangle art and Pastel Nagomi Art promote relaxation through non-judgmental expression and appreciation of the opportunity to make choices. However, there is a lack of studies assessing the effect of these art forms on people with mood and/or anxiety disorders who have been discharged from hospitals and are receiving community psychiatric services.
Objectives :
This study aims to investigate the preliminary effects of Zentangle and Pastel Nagomi Art on mental health for people with mood and anxiety disorders living in the community under Community Psychiatric service.
Methodology :
This was a 3-arm randomized controlled trial involving 46 participants allocated to two 4-week art groups (Zentangle or Pastel Nagomi Art) and a control group. Subjects (1) were the service users of the community psychiatric service (CPS, KWC), (2) has previously been clinically diagnosed with depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder before being referred to CPS, (3) speak and understand Chinese (4) were not currently diagnosed with psychotic symptoms, and currently taking or took Zentangle or Pastel Nagomi before.
A qualified instructor with both certified qualifications for teaching Zentangle and Pastel Nagomi Art conducted 4 face-to-face sessions of Zentangle Art or Pastel Nagomi Art weekly. Each workshop were last for around 120 minutes. The participants showed their products and had some sharing with one another.
The outcome measures were categorized as: (1) self –esteem, (2) self- efficiency, (3) positive affect, (4) negative affect, (5) DASS (depression, anxiety and stress), (6) mindfulness state, (7) patient activation, and 8) self-acceptance by survey. Data were collected at baseline (T0), and weeks 4 (T1), and 8 (T2). The subjects from intervention groups were invited to partake focus group interview to share their experience with the intervention at week 8 (T2).
Result & Outcome :
The within-group analysis revealed that the Pastel Nagomi art group experienced a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms by week 8 (p < .01; Wilcoxon signed-ranks test), while the Zentangle group showed a significant increase in patient activation by week 4 (p < .05; Wilcoxon signed-ranks test). The control group showed a significant decrease in positive affect at week 8 (p < .05; Wilcoxon signed-ranks test). Although neither intervention group showed significant changes in positive affect, both displayed improvement trends at weeks 4 and 8. Compared to the control group, both intervention groups had significantly better outcomes in maintaining positive affect at week 8 (p < .05; Kruskal-Wallis test). 16 subjects joined the focus group interview. The qualitative findings suggested that the intervention resulted in the participants enjoying the artwork process, feeling relax, being satisfied and being proud of their artwork. The preliminary results of the study are promising. Further studies can be expanded to other service users among clusters to recruit a large sample size to examine the efficacy of the intervention and assess the challenges to implement this collaborative intervention with university research team.
