The Effects of Integrative Art Therapy on Social Competence and Hand Function of Children with Cerebral Palsy

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of integrative art therapy on social competence and hand function in children with cerebral palsy. METHOD: Nine children with cerebral palsy were given integrative art therapy and conventional occupational therapy for 50 minutes, once a week over 6 months. Ten children were selected as a control group and were given only conventional occupational therapy. To estimate the effectiveness of integrative art therapy, both groups were evaluated by Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST-II), Box and Block test and Walker-McConnell scale before and after therapy. RESULTS: Children of integrative art therapy showed significant improvement in 'personal and social' category of DDST-II and 'adaptive behavior' and 'adjustment to social relationships with peers' of Walker-McConnell scale. They also showed improvement of Box and Block test. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that integrative art therapy was effective on social competence as well as hand function in children with cerebral palsy. So, integrative art therapy is expected to be an adjuvant therapy for children with cerebral palsy.