TITLE:
Changes in the Autonomic Nervous System and Moods of Advanced Cancer Patients by Mindfulness Art Therapy Short Version
AUTHORS:
Michiyo Ando, Haruko Kira, Shigeru Hayashida
KEYWORDS:
Mindfulness, Art Therapy, Automatic Nervous System, Mood, Cancer Patients
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.7 No.1,
January
11,
2016
ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the Autonomic Nervous
System (ANS) and moods before and after participation in a Mindfulness Art
Therapy Short version (MATS). The study design was non-randomized controlled
trial in intervention study. Participants were 10 Japanese patients with
advanced cancer. They received the MATS in one session, which consisted of mindfulness
practices and making arts. Their Autonomic Nervous System (sympathetic nervous,
parasympathetic nervous) physiologically and mood (Tense Arousal: TA, Energetic
Arousal: EA) psychologically were measured before and after the MATS. The results
showed that the level of parasympathetic nervous system decreased and that the sympathetic
nervous system increased in small effect size. The TA decreased in a large
effect size and EA increased in a middle effect size. These results suggested
that the MATS might activate physiologically, alleviate tension and increase
energy psychologically.