Fine Art Therapy in Terminal Cancer Patients

癌症末期病人及其家屬為安寧緩和醫療的照顧對象。他們面臨病情惡化及死亡問題所 產生的焦慮、悲傷與情緒失衡，是美術療育的重點工作。本研究於1997年7月1日至 2001年7月30日期間，以台大醫院緩和醫療病房有主動意願的病人和家屬為對象，共 收案110位病人。接受美術療育時，常有陪伴者參與82名（74.5%），其中病人對生命 與死亡的看法互相分享的有84名（76.4%）。此外病人各種美感表現在療育前後比較 有顯著增加，以親手做作品的人數最顯著。美術療育提供病人及家屬彼此做情緒處理 的機會，包括分享美好的回憶與親友產生連結感受，留下作品給親友紀念，家屬參與 創作表達對病人無限的祝福。本研究顯示應用美術療育以支持病人及家屬情緒並輔導 家屬達到預期性的悲傷處理，是臨床工作的新進展。 The medical care for terminal cancer patients should involve the patients as well as the patients’ family members. Patients facing the problems of worsening condition and death usually suffer from anxiety, grief and emotional disturbance. Fine art therapy can provide psycho-spiritual support for the patients and their caregivers in hospice and palliative care . From July 1, 1997 to July 30, 2001, this study recruited 110 subjects from the Hospice and Palliative care ward of the National Taiwan University Hospital. According to the participation of caregivers during therapy, most of patients (74.5%) were frequently accompanied by family and group, 84 patients (76.4%) shared their viewpoints toward life and death with their own family members. In comparisons of various items evaluating esthetic expression before and after fine art therapy, the mean score was significantly increased, with items of patients who made their own art increasing the most. The therapeutic effect was to provide an opportunity to the patients and family members to share with their good memories; and to leave a legacy of the artwork after the patient’s death. By doing artwork together, the family members expressed their eternal blessing toward the patients. There findings suggest fine art therapy for terminal cancer patient is a useful clinical tool for improving quality of care.