P15.09.A EVALUATION OF AN ART-BASED INTERVENTION IN NEURO-ONCOLOGICAL PATIENTS - A PILOT STUDY

Abstract BACKGROUND Brain tumor diagnoses often cause significant psychological distress in patients and their caregivers, frequently accompanied by neurocognitive deficits and personality changes. Art observation has been shown to positively affect neurocognition and activate brain regions involved in reflective processing, such as the Default Mode Network. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and psychosocial impact of a structured art-based intervention. METHODS In this single-center study, brain tumor patients and their relatives participated in guided art tours at a local museum. Each session centered around three themes grounded in the principles of neuroaesthetics. During the 60-minute tours, selected artworks were discussed from both a neuroscientific perspective by a neurosurgeon and an artistic perspective by an art historian. The experience was complemented by carefully chosen music that matched the themes. Vital signs were recorded before and after each session. Participants also completed a study-specific questionnaire assessing the perceived emotional and cognitive effects of the intervention, using a 4-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 4 = strongly agree). Additionally, validated instruments were used to measure psychological distress and health-related quality of life. The primary outcomes included feasibility, emotional responses based on questionnaire data, and changes in vital signs. RESULTS A total of 16 patients (7 male, 9 female patients) and 11 caregivers attended eight sessions between August 2023 and July 2024; additional sessions followed from March to May 2025. Overall, 25 of 27 participants (14 patients, 11 caregivers) completed the evaluation. Most reported positive experiences: 21 participants (12 patients, 9 caregivers) felt emotionally relieved; 17 (11 patients, 6 caregivers) experienced cognitive stimulation; 20 (11 patients, 9 caregivers) reported increased curiosity; and 20 (12 patients, 8 caregivers) described a positive impact on daily life. Negative responses were rare, with only 4 participants disagreeing or strongly disagreeing with feeling emotionally relieved. No adverse events occurred, and vital signs remained stable, in patients and caregivers. CONCLUSION This pilot study demonstrates that the art-based intervention is feasible and well accepted by both neuro-oncology patients and their caregivers. Preliminary results support further investigation of art observation as a complementary therapeutic approach.