Why Color Mandalas? A Study of Anxiety-Reducing Mechanisms

An Investigation of the Effect of Virtual Reality on Alleviating Anxiety in Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Radiation Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anxiety-reducing effects of virtual reality (VR) on patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant radiation therapy (RT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This randomized controlled trial was conducted among patients with breast cancer receiving RT at a single institution. Of 196 enrolled and randomized patients, 97 were assigned to a VR explanation group (intervention) and 99 were assigned to the standard-of-care group (control). Anxiety levels were measured using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) as the primary endpoint and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Linear Analogue Scale Assessment (LASA) as secondary endpoints. Knowledge of the RT procedure, patient satisfaction, and time spent for counseling were also assessed.

RESULTS

Intervention significantly reduced patient anxiety immediately, not only on the primary endpoint, APAIS, but also on the STAI and LASA anxiety scales. Specifically, in the intervention group, there were immediate reductions of 26.0%, 16.1%, and 55.8% for APAIS, STAI, and LASA, respectively, whereas in the control group, the respective reductions were 8.1%, 8.5%, and 13.7%. Among the 3 anxiety scales, long-term anxiety reduction was observed only when anxiety was measured by LASA. Subgroup analyses showed that the effect on anxiety did not differ based on the physician, baseline anxiety level, use of hormone therapy, or health literacy. The intervention also significantly improved knowledge of the RT procedure (81.9/100 vs 76.8/100; P = .006) and patient satisfaction with the explanation manner (6.56 vs 5.72; P < .001) compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Immersive VR applied to the current procedure reduces anxiety during RT planning for patients with breast cancer. Further research is necessary to investigate the long-term effects of VR on anxiety.

A Guide to Selecting Participatory Research Methods Based on Project and Partnership Goals

Participatory research engages community stakeholders in the research process, from problem identification and developing the research question, to dissemination of results. There is increasing recognition in the field of health research that community-engaged methods can be used throughout the research process. The volume of guidance for engaging communities and conducting participatory research has grown steadily in the past 40+ years, in many countries and contexts. Further, some institutions now require stakeholder engagement in research as a condition of funding. Interest in collaborating in the research process is also growing among patients and the public. This article provides an overview for selecting participatory research methods based on project and partnerships goals.

The effect of mandala colouring on anxiety in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial

COVID-19 significantly affects patients' mental health, triggering a wide range of psychological disorders, including anxiety. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mandala colouring on the anxiety of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 70 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were randomly divided between the intervention and control groups. Standard care was provided for both groups. The intervention group spent 30 min/day for six consecutive days performing mandala colouring. Patient anxiety was measured prior and subsequent to the intervention in both groups using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 25. The mean anxiety score was not significantly different between the two groups before the intervention (P = 0.08). Subsequent to the intervention, the mean anxiety score in the intervention and control groups was 44.05 ± 4.67 and 67.85 ± 6.25, respectively, indicating a statistically significant (P = 0.0001) decrease in the anxiety measured among the intervention group as compared with that of the control group. The results of this study show that 30 min of mandala colouring daily is an effective strategy for reducing anxiety in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Mandala colouring can complement routine treatment and provides a non-pharmaceutical option for decreasing patient anxiety.

Ashes2Art: Mitigation Strategies for Short-and Long-term Distress in Emergency Services Personnel During COVID-19

Ashes2Art, a nonprofit organization working with fire fighters and first responders since 2017, promotes creativity to counter balance the exposure to extreme loss and trauma. Operating under the Northern Virginia Emergency Medical Services Council, Ashes2Art provides art supplies, art classes, and a creative community of support to mitigate the deleterious effects the stress of the job can take on fire fighters and first responders' health and mental health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashes2Art has seen an increased demand for art supplies and the, now online, creative arts classes and self-care strategies. Currently, approximately 100 emergency services personnel and family members are actively participating in these initiatives during this crisis. Managing the cumulative emotional load these first responders and their families experience is paramount to COVID-19 recovery efforts and post-pandemic operations. Helping first responders and their families manage the short- and long-term emotional toll from the work they do in responding to the COVID-19 crisis is paramount to the United States' successful recovery back to a well-functioning post-pandemic society. This paper suggests that enhancing well-being through mindfulness-focused creative arts engagement might be one effective tool to be included as part of routine self-care protocols for first responders and their families.