Date of Award

Spring 5-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

EVMS School of Health Professions

Program/Concentration

Art Therapy & Counseling

Committee Director

Kerry Kruk

Committee Member

Brittany Canady

Committee Member

Caroline Peterson

Committee Member

Sarah Deaver

Abstract

This study combined the use of Loving-Kindness meditation with art therapy for three women suffering from different types of chronic pain. These women ranged in age from 26 to 62 years and were from a variety of backgrounds; two of the women were Caucasian and one woman was originally from Barbados. The participants were recruited from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Four sessions were scheduled. During each session there was time for Loving-Kindness meditation followed by an art therapy intervention. The West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory was used to measure pain. In order to observe quality of life, the Flanagan’s Quality of Life Scale was given during the first and last sessions. The Brief COPE Scale was used to measure coping skills. The study found a decrease in pain for two out of the three participants. Additionally, it showed an increase in the use of positive coping skills, such as Planning and Acceptance, and a decrease in the use of more negative coping skill such as Self-Blame and Substance Use. All three participants reported that the treatment was beneficial for them, and not only helped them cope with their pain, but also with other outside stressors.

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DOI

10.25777/85f1-vx62

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