Evaluating the Effectiveness of Art Therapy in Enhancing Quality of Life among CardiacPatients in an Indian Clinical Setting

Background: Art based interventions have increasingly been recognized for their role in promoting holistic health and well being. In patients with cardiac conditions, unmanaged psychosocial stress can significantly affect prognosis, treatment adherence, and survival rates. Art therapy (AT), a creative and therapeutic modality, has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing psychological distress and enhancing quality of life (QoL) in various Indian clinical populations. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of art therapy in reducing psychological distress and improving quality of life among patients with arrhythmia and coronary artery disease. Methods: A purposive sample of 35 cardiac patients (N = 35), identified with moderate to severe psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), was recruited from a cardiac specialty hospital. Participants were assessed for QoL using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). The intervention consisted of a 6-day structured art therapy program, which included three techniques: Scribbling, Know Your Depression, and Gratitude Mandala each administered over a three day period. Pre and post intervention scores were analyzed using a paired t-test to determine the efficacy of the intervention. Results: The analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement in overall quality of life following the intervention (p < 0.05), indicating that art therapy effectively reduced psychological distress and enhanced well being among the participants. Conclusion: The findings support the integration of art therapy as a complementary approach in cardiac rehabilitation programs to address psychosocial factors and improve quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease.