ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To test the efficacy of a creative arts intervention (CAI) with family caregivers of patients with cancer. DESIGN: A pre-posttest quasi-experimental design, with participation in the CAI as the independent variable and stress, anxiety, and emotions as the dependent variables. METHOD: The 6-month study was implemented at a regional cancer treatment center with family caregivers. The CAI consisted of several creative arts activities designed for delivery at the bedside. FINDINGS: Forty family caregivers reported significantly reduced stress, lowered anxiety, and increased positive emotions following CAI participation. CONCLUSIONS: The CAI promoted short-term well being in this family caregiver sample. Caregivers also increased positive communication with cancer patients and health care providers while expressing delight over their handmade pieces of art.
