Art Therapy as an Intervention for Stress Management in Patients with Anxiety Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial Analysis
Keywords:
Anxiety Disorders, Art Therapy, Intervention, Randomized Controlled Trial, Stress ManagementAbstract
This research investigates the efficacy of art therapy as an intervention for managing stress among individuals diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders represent a prevalent mental health concern, impacting millions worldwide and posing significant challenges in stress management. The study adopts a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, recruiting participants aged 18–65 diagnosed with specific anxiety disorders, excluding severe cognitive impairment or concurrent intensive therapies. The intervention group engages in art therapy sessions facilitated by licensed art therapists, incorporating various creative modalities tailored to foster emotional expression and stress reduction. The control group receives standard care for anxiety disorders, excluding art therapy. Quantitative measures utilizing standardized anxiety assessment scales and qualitative methods capture stress levels and participants' experiences throughout the intervention. Findings reveal a statistically significant reduction in stress levels among the intervention group compared to the control, indicating the effectiveness of art therapy in stress management. Longitudinal analyses exhibit sustained improvements and positive subjective experiences reported by participants engaging in art therapy. The implications drawn highlight the importance of integrating art therapy as a holistic adjunctive intervention within mental health treatments for anxiety-related stress.
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