Art Therapy to Improve Quality of Life of Cancer Patients and Their Carers in Bangladesh - Journal of Cancer Therapy

JCT > Vol.10 No.6, June 2019

Art Therapy to Improve Quality of Life of Cancer Patients and Their Carers in Bangladesh ()

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Download as PDF (Size: 786KB) PP. 458-470

DOI: 10.4236/jct.2019.106038 682 Downloads 2,240 Views Citations

Author(s)

Rumana Dowla^1*, Annekathryn Goodman², Tahsin Kashem³

Affiliation(s)

¹Bangladesh Palliative and Supportive Care Foundation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and Hospital (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
²Division of Gynecologic Oncology Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
³Bangladesh Palliative and Supportive Care Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Art as a therapy helps in reparation and recovery. The aim of this study was to see the response of the cancer patients and their carers residing in Bangladesh towards art therapy and the perceived effect of art therapy on their physical and psychological condition. Method: The study was a record review study conducted through a cross-sectional descriptive method from July to November 2018. Along with the cancer patients, their immediate carers were enrolled in this study since patients and their carers both suffer from the distress that comes with the diagnosis of cancer. In-depth interviews and focused group discussions of art therapy were conducted with our study population at BPSCF and BSMMU. Findings: After art therapy, there was an improvement in sensory perception and self-perception, physical and psychological condition, communication and social skills and helped in more personal integration and built stronger insight among the patients and carers. Majority of the participants of art therapy felt good and wanted to continue art therapy. Significance of results: The results of this study will help to create awareness among the community about the importance of psychotherapies like art therapy in the life of the cancer patients and their carers. Introducing the concept of art therapy will also help the public health practitioners to improvise palliative care services in Bangladesh in a very cost-effective approach.

KEYWORDS

Art Therapy, Cancer Care, Quality of Life, Bangladesh

Share and Cite:

Dowla, R. , Goodman, A. and Kashem, T. (2019) Art Therapy to Improve Quality of Life of Cancer Patients and Their Carers in Bangladesh. Journal of Cancer Therapy, 10, 458-470. doi: 10.4236/jct.2019.106038.

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