Single-Session OH Cards Art Therapy for College Students at a Medical University in China: Design and Effect Evaluation

This study aimed to design culturally adapted OH cards-based art therapy interventions to assess their impact on anxiety, emotion regulation, and self-expression among medical college students. Two single-session interventions were developed: one integrating drawing therapy (Design #2) and one using narrative therapy alone (Design #1), both themed "self-inquiry." A pre-post quasi-experimental design was used, with 17 participants completing surveys using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S-6) and the Self-Expression Emotion Regulation in Art Therapy Scale (SERATS). Outcomes were evaluated using paired t-tests and qualitative analysis. Results showed a significant reduction in state anxiety (p = 0.008) and moderate levels of self-expression and emotion regulation (SERATS mean = 37.41). Participants reported improved self-acceptance, emotional expression, and stress reduction. Design #2 was relatively more preferred by participants, while no significant differences in efficacy were found between the two designs. OH cards-based art therapy effectively mitigates anxiety and enhances psychological well-being in Chinese medical students, with flexible implementation across intervention types. Future research should explore long-term effects in diverse populations and integrate cultural adaptations to expand accessibility.