Art-Based Therapy in Paediatric Oncology: Alleviating Procedural Pain and Distress in Paediatric Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia-A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Paediatric patients undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) frequently experience significant pain and emotional distress related to procedures. While pharmacological management remains central, integrative non-pharmacological approaches such as art-based therapy (ABT) have shown promise in enhancing psychological well-being. The objective of the study is to assess the levels of self-reported procedural pain and distress among paediatric patients with ALL during the consolidation phase of treatment and to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured ABT intervention in reducing these symptoms.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

In an intervention study, a single group pre-post quasi-experimental design was carried out involving 21 children between the ages of 7 and 16 who had been diagnosed with ALL. The participants underwent 10 individual ABT sessions over 4 weeks. Pain and distress were measured using the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) and paediatric distress thermometer (PDT), respectively. Descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test were employed to analyse the data.

RESULTS

Preintervention scores indicated mild procedural pain and moderate distress levels. Postintervention, significant reductions were observed in both procedural pain (p < 0.001, z = 4.11, r = 0.90) and distress (p < 0.001, z = 4.03, r = 0.88) scores. Qualitative observations suggested improved emotional expression and relaxation through creative engagement.

CONCLUSION

ABT is a feasible, low-cost and culturally adaptable intervention that significantly reduces pain and distress among paediatric patients with ALL. These findings support the integration of ABT into paediatric oncology supportive care programs, especially in resource-limited settings.