Abstract
The following study addresses the advantages of assimilating mindfulness-based art therapy
into a comprehensive treatment plan for survivors of cancer. Mindfulness techniques were
combined with art directives, used among survivors of cancer in an art studio setting. These
sessions took place in a cancer support group in Central Indiana. Mindfulness techniques
encourage one to focus on the present moment. This perspective, when connected with art
making and creative expression, resulted in a relief of subjective pain intensity, and mood
changes relating to a heightened awareness of self and their experience in the art studio. The
findings relayed a sufficient decrease in cancer-related pain and discomfort, emphasizing the
need to incorporate mindfulness-based art therapy into comprehensive cancer treatment.
Making use of the Memorial Pain Assessment Card, a pre- and post-test was administered
every session to collect data concerning group and individual participant changes. Results
from the analysis showed a clear decrease of overall chronic pain, which participants attribute
to stem from lasting cancer related issues. A noted increase of positive mood was also
expressed, including but not limited to, happiness, relaxation, or rejuvenation. The feedback
from data analysis showed an overall decrease in pain and increase in positive mood, lending
to the benefit of an adjacent art therapy treatment within cancer care. Findings also mirror
themes from the literature, conclusively supporting the concept of mindfulness-based art
therapy as part of comprehensive cancer treatment for survivors of cancer.
