Characteristic of Form and Contents of Collage Arts for Cancer Patients Under Chemotherapy and Utility

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate characteristics of the Form, Contents of collage arts, and utility of the therapy through changs over sessions of cancer patients under chemotherapy. Eight patients participated in this study. A clinical therapist conducted collage therapy to patients during chemotherapy two times. A participant made arts on tables beside a reclining chair or a bed for about one hour. As for the Form of arts, there are the content category and the form category for assessment. About the content category, the number of “Friendship” “Existence” “Landscape” “Object” “Food” was many. About the form category, the number of “Layering” “Large margin” “Hollowing out” was many. As for characteristics of arts, the number of cut outs like “Food” “Hot Spring” “Shrine” “Sunset” “Train” “Torii” was many. As for changes from first to second session, we observed “Expression of intention to live, religious mind, healing, conflict, or hope for future,” “Introducing sense of reality” “Integration” or “Introducing generational inheritance.” These results showed that cancer patients under chemotherapy are interested humans not so intimate, feel death both conscious and unconsciously. Collage therapy may be useful for them to express their mind and psychological well-being.