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