Artistic therapies in nursing care

"How can movement, art and performance not only be artistically interesting and inspiring, but also healing for people and interpersonal relationships and generally promote physical and mental well-being?" (Halprin, 2003)

 

 

This question is addressed by Daria Halprin, an artist and dance therapist who works at the interface of art and therapy. Like numerous psychologists before her, she has discovered that art, movement and music can have positive effects on both mental and physical complaints. For this reason, the concept of artistic therapies as a supplement to conservative therapy and care options can be an effective accompanying therapy for age-related and illness-related complaints.

 

 

What are artistic therapies?

The use of art, movement or music in therapy is summarized under the umbrella term "artistic therapy". A wide variety of artistic activities and forms of expression can be used in this form of therapy, including

 

• Painting
• Creating
• Singing
• Acting
• Writing
• Densities
• Motion
• Dance

 

The therapy includes the active performance of the activities, the receptive perception of artistic works as well as the viewing and reflection of one's own works and the subsequent exchange in the group or with the therapist.

 

The therapies make use of people's creative means of expression and focus on imagination and creativity. creativity at the center. These two factors are regarded as important means of activating healing processes. The basis for the effectiveness of artistic therapy is based on several psychological approaches, including depth psychology, behavioral psychology, Gestalt psychology and somatopsychology.

 

How does artistic therapy affect health?

The goals and effects of artistic therapies on people are diverse in nature. In principle, effects can be observed on both a psychological and physical level.

 

Relax

The mode of action can be explained on the one hand by the relaxation effect that  is triggered. Humans thrive on the interaction of tension and relaxation.

 

This variety is important in order to be healthy and balanced. However, if there is no relaxation, it can happen that certain metabolic processes in the body can no longer be completed. As a result, the self-healing process is impaired and the body becomes susceptible to illness.

 

Art and music can lead to this very relaxation process being achieved or encouraged. Immersing yourself in artistic activity can trigger a so-called flow state. In this state, complete attention is focused on a single activity, while endorphins are released at the same time.

 

 

Strengthen self-awareness

Artistic activity in a therapeutic context specifically encourages people to deal intensively with their own feelings and problems in a new way. The activity provides an outlet for negative feelings, conflicts and stresses without having to express them verbally. A conscious distancing from the conflict can be created and then viewed in a new way. Furthermore, personal expression is encouraged and the reactions to self-created works are explored.

 

Through the artistic activity, the patient is encouraged to observe themselves more closely and concentrate on spontaneous impulses. This subsequently leads to a better self-image and is therefore particularly effective for people who have a distorted self-image due to illness.

 

Sensuality and passion

Furthermore, creating works of art, for example, can also lead to old or impaired people in particular experiencing a new sense of purpose or passion. They feel useful again because they have created and achieved something themselves. This often also reveals forgotten skills or talents and helps to bring back memories, especially in cases of dementia.

 

motion

Not least, many areas of artistic therapy, in particular dance and movement therapy or music therapy, are linked to physical activity. This is important because age-related or illness-related complaints often cause movement to be associated with negative perceptions and therefore avoided. Exercise therapy can help here and provide a new incentive.

 

Promoting motor skills

The detailed work also promotes and improves motor skills. In addition, eye and hand coordination is trained and cooperation between the two hemispheres of the brain is improved. This can subsequently be seen in daily routines outside of therapy, for example when personal hygiene suddenly becomes easier.

 

 

Easing Pain

Many people in old age experience pain due to physical ailments. Studies show that receptive music therapy can provide relief by producing a relaxing effect. This was discovered in the course of the study by measuring various functions of the autonomic nervous system, such as muscle activity, breathing and heart rate and electrical skin resistance. Music therapy can subsequently also improve general well-being and sleep quality.

 

Who are artistic therapies suitable for?

Artistic therapies are most frequently used in conflict resolution or prevention or in dealing with illness. It can be effective for children as well as senior citizens and people with disabilities.

 

Treatment of psychosis

Artistic therapies are also frequently used in the treatment of psychoses. These mental disorders are often characterized by a lack of verbal expression.

 

The physical expression, especially with movement therapy, serves in this case as compensation for this deficiency. A particularly positive effect can be achieved if the therapy takes place in groups, as this allows interaction with others and reintegration into a social environment. Another advantage of movement therapy in a group is that the fear of contact that typically accompanies psychosis can be confronted and subsequently alleviated.

 

The therapy also enables psychosis patients to rediscover their body from the ground up and to be able to resolve the distorted images of self-perception. Long-term therapies enable new positive experiences and thus significantly improve self-esteem.

 

 

Dementia

Even with dementia, artistic activity can help to achieve positive effects that can have an enriching impact on various areas of life. The perception of aesthetics and the perception of art lies in an area of the brain that is not affected by dementia, which is why it makes sense to start right there.

 

The main purpose of therapy for dementia is to interact with the environment and find an alternative means of expression when the right words can no longer be found. Art also evokes emotions because it awakens memories and helps to rediscover skills that were thought to be lost. This can have the effect of increasing self-esteem.

 

These successes are unfortunately not always permanent, as those affected often quickly forget what they have created. By keeping works of art, for example, which are signed and hung up in the room, a memento can be created that may make the person concerned remember again.

 

Not only the active performance of artistic activities, but also receptive art therapy can have a positive effect on the well-being of dementia patients. This involves engaging with art, for example by looking at your own or other people's artwork, listening to music or watching a dance performance.

 

Museum visits also fall under this category. For this reason, there are special museums that offer guided tours for dementia patients. The exhibitions are tailored to the needs and show a few, clearly structured works of art that are intended to stimulate thought, but not overwhelm or overly excite the viewer. Such offers can be found, for example, in the Albertina in Vienna or in Museum Steyr

 

 

Learning disabilities and behavioral problems in children and adolescents

In working with children and adolescents aged six to 18, artistic therapies find one of their most common applications. They are used in particular to treat disorders in learning or performance behavior, as well as abnormalities in general behavior and motor skills.

 

Among the most common reasons for the development of learning disorders or behavioral problems are a lack of attention and care from parents as well as neglect and abuse of any kind. As a result, children often show conspicuous, aggressive behavior or result in depressive withdrawal from the group. Difficulties in learning new things are accompanied by coordination and speech disorders.

 

 

Typically, artistic therapy would also like to deal with the treatment of the causes here. Goals that are aimed at are, for example, the promotion of motor and coordinative skills, the ability to solve problems independently and social interaction with peers. Another positive effect of exercise is the release of pent-up energy, especially in children with conspicuous, aggressive behavior.

 

In contrast to working with adults, therapy with children does not focus on consciously dealing with their feelings and psychological processes. Instead, the children's natural urge to move is supported in a controlled manner and transformed into learning success. This is why it takes place more on a physical than a mental level. However, as children and young people in particular react more strongly and sensitively to emotions, more care and a cautious approach is required.

 

Conclusion

 

Thanks to the multi-layered mode of action of artistic therapies, they represent an optimal accompaniment to traditional treatment options. They are used regardless of age or illness and offer the person affected an outlet for emotions and contribute to better self-awareness. In addition, physical effects are also observed by improving motor skills or promoting movement.

 

We are also happy to inform you about accompanying therapy options in our noracares community. Register now and find exactly the right one for you and your needs among numerous therapists!