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Published on: February 11, 2017
Effects of Clay Therapy on Emotional and Physical Outcomes in Hospitalized Pediatric Cancer Patients: A Prospective
Antonella Guido1,2, Alberto Romano1, Laura Peruzzi1,2
1Unità Operativa Complessa Oncologia Pediatrica, Dipartimento della Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00167 Rome, Italy.
Insights
Clay therapy significantly improved emotional and physical well-being in pediatric cancer patients, reducing pain, fatigue, and nausea. Caregivers also reported improved mood, highlighting clay therapy
Area of Science:
- Psychosocial Oncology
- Creative Arts Therapies
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Pediatric cancer significantly impacts children's physical health, emotional state, development, and family dynamics.
- Hospitalization and treatments intensify distress, burden, and diminish quality of life (QoL).
- Psychosocial and expressive interventions are crucial for holistic pediatric oncology care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate clay therapy's impact on pediatric oncology patients' emotional and physical well-being.
- To explore clay therapy's indirect effects on caregivers' emotional status.
- To assess feasibility and benefits of clay therapy in a hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- Prospective pilot study involving 40 hospitalized children with onco-hematological diseases and their parents.
- One-hour clay therapy workshops conducted by a professional ceramist.
- Emotional and physical symptoms (pain, fatigue, nausea) assessed pre- and post-intervention using VAS and ArtsObs scales.
Main Results:
- Children showed significant improvements in all emotional domains (VAS) and observed mood (ArtsObs), with high engagement and relaxation.
- Female patients exhibited greater mood improvement than males.
- Significant reductions in pain, fatigue, and nausea were noted; parents reported improved mood.
Conclusions:
- Clay therapy is a feasible and effective supportive intervention for pediatric oncology patients.
- The intervention benefits both emotional and physical well-being, enhancing QoL.
- Integrating clay therapy into family-centered care models offers holistic support for children with cancer and their families.
Abstract:
Background: Pediatric cancer is a highly stressful and potentially traumatic condition affecting physical health, emotional well-being, developmental trajectories, and family functioning. Hospitalization and intensive treatments often exacerbate emotional distress and symptom burden, negatively impacting quality of life (QoL). Integrating psychosocial and expressive interventions into pediatric oncology care is increasingly recognized as essential. Clay therapy is a multisensory, hands-on creative intervention that may promote emotional regulation, coping, and a sense of agency in hospitalized children. Objectives: This prospective pilot study evaluated the effects of clay therapy on emotional and physical well-being in pediatric oncology patients and explored potential indirect effects on caregivers' emotional status. Methods: From December 2023 to December 2024, forty hospitalized children with onco-hematological diseases and one parent per patient were enrolled. Each child participated in a one-hour clay therapy workshop led by a professional ceramist. Emotional outcomes were assessed before (T0) and immediately after (T1) the intervention using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the ArtsObs observational scale. Physical symptoms, including pain, fatigue, and nausea, were also evaluated. Results: Following clay therapy, children showed statistically significant improvements across all VAS emotional domains, independent of age and gender. ArtsObs assessments confirmed a significant increase in observed mood, with high levels of relaxation and engagement; female patients demonstrated greater mood improvement than males. Significant reductions in pain, fatigue, and nausea were also observed. Parents exhibited a significant improvement in mood following their child's participation. Conclusions: These findings suggest that clay therapy is feasible and could be an effective supportive intervention in pediatric oncology, benefiting both emotional and physical well-being. Its integration into multidisciplinary, family-centered care models may enhance QoL during hospitalization and provide holistic support for children with cancer and their families.
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