Oster et al. [17] Sweden | A randomized controlled trial Setting: oncology department of the hospital | Women with non-metastatic breast cancer N = 41 N1 = 20 (intervention group) N2 = 21 (control group) | Range: 37 - 69 Median: m1 = 59.5 m2 = 55 | 5 weekly sessions after postoperative radiotherapy | Two trained art therapists | t1: before the start of radiotherapy t2: 2 months after radiotherapy t3: 6 months after radiotherapy | CRI measuring coping resources | An overall increase of coping resources in the intervention group |
Singer et al. [18] Germany | A non-randomized controlled trial Setting: an outpatient psycho-oncology unit | Patients with haematological malignancies N = 165 N1 = 36 (intervention group) N2 = 129 (control group) | Range: ≥18 | 22 weekly 90-min sessions | An artist receiving psychological training and evaluation | t1: before intervention t2: immediately after intervention | SRGS measuring post-traumatic growth | No difference in post-traumatic growth between groups |
Peng et al. [19] China | A non-randomized controlled trial Setting: inpatient ward of the hospital | Patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy N = 200 | Range: ≥18 Mean: M = 45.35 | Painting during the day of the second chemotherapy lasted for 2 - 4 h | The researchers themselves | t1: 24 h after first chemotherapy t2: 24 h after painting therapy | 1) FLIE measuring life function 2) SAS measuring anxiety | Significant improvements of life function (P < 0.001) and anxiety (P < 0.001) in the intervention group |
Svensk et al. [20] Sweden | A randomized controlled trial Setting: oncology department of the hospital | Women with non-metastatic breast cancer N = 41 N1 = 20 (intervention group) N2 = 21 (control group) | Range: 37 - 69 Median: m1 = 59.5 m2 = 55 | 5 weekly sessions after postoperative radiotherapy | Two trained art therapists | t1: before the start of radiotherapy t2: 2 months after radiotherapy t3: 6 months after radiotherapy | 1) WHOQOL-BREF measuring QOL 2) QLQ-BR23 measuring QOL | An overall improvement of QOL in the intervention group |
Thyme et al. [21] Sweden | A randomized controlled trial Setting: oncology department of the hospital | Women with nonmetastatic breast cancer N = 42 N1 = 20 (intervention group) N2 = 22 (control group) | Range: 37 - 69 Median: m1 = 59.50 m2 = 55 | 5 weekly sessions given after postoperative radiotherapy | Two trained art therapists | t1: before intervention, t2: following intervention t3: a 4-month follow-up | 1) SASB measuring self-image 2) SCL-90 measuring psychiatric symptoms | Significant improvements of psychiatric symptoms (P < 0.05) but no significant change on self-image in the intervention group |
Zhao & Tang [22] China | A randomized controlled trial Setting: demonstration classroom of the inpatient ward | Cancer patients N = 86 N1 = 43 (mandala drawing therapy) N2 = 43 (routine nursing care) | Mean: M1 = 53.3 M2 = 54.3 | 2 times per week for 6 weeks, 45 minutes each time | Members receiving training and evaluation of mandala painting psychotherapy | t1: before intervention t2: 2 weeks after intervention t3: 4 weeks after intervention t4: 6 weeks after intervention | SAS measuring anxiety | Significant improvement of anxiety (P < 0.05) in the intervention group |