Pilot study on “Online Art Therapy” for breast cancer patients

Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences and University Hospital Bonn are seeking new participants for the pilot study on “Online Art Therapy” starting in January 2023!

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. The disease and its treatments often place a very heavy emotional and physical burden on those affected. Art therapy can help patients cope better with the situation – and online therapy can also be used for this purpose. For the past year, a pilot study by Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences has been running in cooperation with University Hospital Bonn (UKB). New participants are being sought on an ongoing basis. The next start is planned for January 2023.

As part of the study, participants take part over a period of two months in eight free online art therapy sessions led by a trained art therapist. The program is aimed at breast cancer patients during the acute treatment phase – regardless of whether or not they are being treated at the Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO) at UKB. The study investigates whether improvements in well-being and self-efficacy as well as a reduction in symptoms related to stress, anxiety, and pain can be expected.

“The creative therapies are particularly well suited to the treatment of people in stressful situations because they often find it difficult to put their feelings into words,” explains Harald Gruber, Professor of Art Therapy at Alanus University. “They allow patients to integrate contradictory emotions, thoughts, and sensations and to communicate them nonverbally.”

Professor Ingo Schmidt-Wolf, Director of the Department of Integrated Oncology at UKB, emphasizes: “Expanding and improving supportive services for patients alongside acute treatment is a major concern for us. Especially in today’s world, it is very important to expand digital services. I am very pleased that we were able to successfully support our patients through the digital art therapy program even during the coronavirus pandemic.”

Interested patients can register to participate in the study by telephone at 0228/287 11091 or by email at CIO@ukbonn.de (contact person: Dr. Kamra).

>>Further information on the study

Press contact:
Senta Koske
Press and Public Relations
Tel.: +49 (0)2222 9321 – 1944
Email: pressestelle@hochschule.alanus.edu