A six-week art therapy protocol for improving emotional and functional outcomes in post-COVID-19 condition

Background: Post-COVID-19 condition presents lasting physical and mental health challenges. Art therapy offers a non-verbal approach that may support emotional processing and well-being in individuals experiencing persistent symptoms.Aims: To investigate the potential effects of a six-week art therapy intervention on emotional and functional outcomes in individuals experiencing post-COVID-19 condition.Methods: 24 participants with PCC received a 6-week group art therapy intervention involving structured creative tasks ranging from mark-making to three-dimensional modelling. A control group of 30 individuals received no intervention during the same period.Results: The art therapy group showed significant improvements in mood, arousal, self-esteem, and post-COVID-19 functional symptoms across the intervention period, particularly during the later sessions. However, no significant changes were observed in anxiety, overall well-being, or life satisfaction measures. Feedback indicated the programme was experienced as personally meaningful and enjoyable.Conclusions: Art therapy may support aspects of emotional adjustment and perceived functioning in individuals experiencing post-COVID-19 condition, although changes were not observed across all measured outcomes.Implications for practice/policy/future research: These findings support further exploration of art therapy within multidisciplinary rehabilitation programmes for post-COVID-19 condition. Future research could explore online adaptations to increase accessibility.Plain-language summary: Many people who have had COVID-19 continue to experience health problems long after the initial infection. These long-term difficulties may include changes in mood, anxiety, and perceived everyday functioning. This study examined whether a six-week art therapy programme could support the psychological well-being of participants with post-COVID-19 condition. The art therapy programme involved group-based art therapy sessions in which participants used artmaking to express emotions, explore identity, and strengthen positive self-perception. Activities ranged from simple mark-making exercises to more complex 3D modelling tasks.Participants who completed the art therapy programme reported improvements in mood, energy levels, self-esteem, and a reduction in post-COVID symptoms. However, broader measures of well-being and life satisfaction did not show significant changes during the study period. Participants also described the programme as supportive and meaningful during group discussions and self-report evaluations.These findings suggest that art therapy may help individuals with post-COVID-19 condition feel more emotionally stable and better able to cope with the challenges of daily life, while also supporting self-esteem and emotional expression. Future research could further examine how art therapy may contribute to rehabilitation and psychological support programmes for post-COVID-19 condition.