Expressive Art Therapy for Elder Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Art therapy combined with Exercise, Exercise.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Chronic Low Back Pain. Basic parameters: from 60 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Hong Kong
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Exploring the Use of Supervised Group Art Therapy Among Older Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain: Feasibility, Potential Efficacy, and Participant Experiences
Overview
This research project aims to assess the feasibility of expressive art therapy for elderly adults with chronic low back pain and to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of combining art therapy with exercise intervention. Additionally, the study will investigate facilitators and barriers to participation. A mixed-methods approach will be employed, including a quantitative questionnaire and qualitative semi-structured focus group discussions. The questionnaire will examine physical, functional, and psychological changes potentially influenced by art therapy, while the focus groups will provide in-depth insights into participants' experiences and perceptions of the combined intervention.
Detailed description
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common and debilitating condition that affects millions of older adults worldwide, significantly impacting their physical, emotional, and social well-being. This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to explore the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a new approach that combines supervised group expressive art therapy with exercise for elderly individuals suffering from CLBP.
The primary goal is to assess participant recruitment, retention, and adherence to intervention. The investigators will also identify any logistical challenges that may arise during the process. To gather preliminary data on the intervention's effectiveness, the investigators will measure changes in pain intensity, functional ability, psychological flexibility, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
In addition to quantitative measures, the investigators will conduct qualitative interviews and focus groups to gain deeper insights into the participants' experiences. This will help to identify factors that facilitate or hinder their engagement with the program.
By incorporating expressive art therapy-an approach that encourages emotional expression and coping strategies-this study aims to provide a holistic method for managing pain. The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of life for older adults affected by CLBP. If successful, this pilot RCT will offer valuable insights that could inform a larger, definitive RCT, paving the way for innovative, interdisciplinary strategies in chronic pain management and improving health outcomes in the community.
Interventions
- Other Art therapy combined with Exercise
The intervention program consists of one hour of expressive art intervention followed by one hour of exercise training. Art therapy sessions will be conducted in small groups of eight participants, facilitated by a part-time registered expressive art therapist. Each session begins with a 5-minute introduction and check-in, welcoming participants and encouraging them to share their current status. This is followed by a 10-minute mindfulness exercise designed to center participants and promote rel - Other Exercise
each one-hour session in the exercise control group will involve progressive back and general reconditioning exercises, along with back care education to support self-management of LBP.
Primary outcome measures
- Recruitment rate [Time frame: Baseline]
- Retention Rate of participants [Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 8 weeks]
- Proportion of Participants Adhering to Intervention [Time frame: Weekly from week 1 through 8]
- Acceptability of the Intervention-satisfaction [Time frame: Weekly from week 1 through 8]
- Acceptability of the Intervention-perceived burden [Time frame: Weekly from week 1 through 8]
- Acceptability of the Intervention-willingness to continue [Time frame: Weekly from week 1 through 8]
- Feasibility of data collection procedures [Time frame: At 3-month post intervention]
- Safety and Adverse Events of participants [Time frame: Weekly from week 1 through 8]
Secondary outcome measures (6)
- Global Impression of Change scale [Time frame: Immediately post-intervention and at the 3-month follow-up post-intervention]
- Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) [Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 month follow up post-intervention]
- Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II (AAQ-II) [Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 month follow up post-intervention]
- EQ-5D-5L [Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 month follow up post-intervention]
- Roland Morris Disability Index (RMDQ) [Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 month follow up post-intervention]
- Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS) [Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 month follow up post-intervention]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- aged 60 years and above
- currently experiencing non-specific low back pain for at least three months
- who have sought medical treatment for CLBP
- can read and write in Traditional Chinese
- MoCA-5 of 18 or above
Exclusion criteria
- malignant pain
- lumbar spinal stenosis
- confirmed dementia
- severe cognitive impairment
- serious major medical or psychiatric disorders
- currently receiving physiotherapy, cognitive therapy, or psychological treatments
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Hong Kong · 1 center
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Hong Kong
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07141082 · HSEARS20250416004-01 · 1-WZBS