Author of

• 11946

  +

  P2.24 - Poster Session 2 - Supportive Care (ID 157)

  • Event: WCLC 2013
  • Type: Poster Session
  • Track: Supportive Care
  • Presentations: 1
  • Moderators:
  • Coordinates: 10/29/2013, 09:30 - 16:30, Exhibit Hall, Ground Level

  • 11983

    +

    P2.24-037 - Feasibility of creative art therapy as a supportive care modality for patients with metastatic lung cancer treated with chemotherapy (ID 2465)

    09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): L. Natoli
    • Abstract

    Background
    Creative art therapy (CAT) consists in the use of artistic activities to help patients manage physical and emotional problems in a therapeutic setting. In oncology, CAT has mostly been practiced in palliative-care units. CAT has not been used in lung cancer patients so far, especially when chemotherapy treatment is still delivered. Our objectives were to prospectively assess the feasibility of integrating CAT in the management of patients with metastatic lung cancer treated with chemotherapy.

    Methods
    From 2011/11 to 2013/05, CAT was offered to in- and out-patients who received chemotherapy for metastatic lung cancer in our department. Creative activities included the production of paintings, drawings, and/or sculptures. Patients were assessed by a trained art therapist for anxiety levels, self-awareness and satisfaction, before and after each art session.

    Results
    84 patients were included in the study, among whom 41 (55%) accepted CAT and received a mean number of 3 sessions. In this cohort of 13 men and 28 women, 31 (75%) and 17 (41%) patients reported improvements in anxiety levels and cancer-related symptoms after the art session, respectively. CAT gave satisfaction to 37 (90%) patients. These benefits were transient in all cases. Main reasons for refusing CAT in the remaining 33 patients included fatigue and lack of interest for arts. Painting and drawings from lung cancer patients along the disease management will be presented at the meeting.

    Conclusion
    Our study reports on the feasibility of CAT in lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. CAT may be considered part of the multimodal supportive care management of lung cancer patients. This study was supported by an unrestricted grant from Hoffmann-La Roche.