Date Presented 04/04/19
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ceramics as an intervention for reducing stress in OT and PT graduate students. A cross-sectional approach was utilized on 28 OT and PT students. Stress levels were determined by a pre- and posttest design, a visual analog scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and an open-ended question. The results of the study showed a significant reduction in stress for the OT and PT graduate students who painted ceramics.
Primary Author and Speaker: Jewell Dickson
Additional Authors and Speakers: Abigail Alvarez, Chelsea DeJesus, Naureen Jooma
Contributing Authors: Cindy LaPorte
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of media, specifically painting ceramics, as an intervention for reducing stress in occupational and physical therapy graduate students.
BACKGROUND: Occupational therapy was born out of the Arts and Crafts Movement (O’ Brein & Hussey, 2012). The term arts and crafts has been expanded to be inclusive of creative media (painting, drawing, dancing, etc.) (Curl, 2008). This type of intervention is still utilized by OT’s, but primarily in psychosocial areas of practice (Barris, Cordedo, & Christiaansen, 1986). A study done by the researchers at The Lativan Academy of Sciences showed that participants stress levels (based on cortisol) were reduced within 24 hours of receiving art therapy (Visnola, Sprudza, Arija Bake, & Pike, 2010). Studies have shown that one population that experiences high levels of stress are graduate students (Oswalt & Riddock, 2007). High stress levels can be detrimental to students’ health and productivity in graduate school (Oswalt & Riddock, 2007). Therefore, the researchers of this study wanted to determine if media, specifically painting ceramics, could reduce stress levels in graduate level occupational and physical therapy students.
DESIGN: The study utilized a cross-sectional approach studying graduate level students. The 28 participants were selected based on a sample of convenience. Participants had to be enrolled the occupational or physical therapy program(s) of study at Alabama State University.
METHODS: Using an experimental pretest–post test design, researchers randomly assigned participants to a ceramics painting group or a control group. During the pre-test data was collected from both groups using a visual analog scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and an open-ended question. During the post-test data was collected from both groups using the same visual analog scale and open-ended question from the pre-test.
RESULTS: Results indicated that painting ceramics significantly reduced stress, p < 0.00001 (α < .05) of pre/post VAS. Furthermore, based on a two-tailed T test there was a significant difference in the reduced stress between the ceramic group and the control group p = 0.000051, (α < .05).
CONCLUSION: Thus,the results of this study suggest that painting ceramics digresses stress in occupational and physical therapy graduate students. This study helps to support the use of media across different populations and the incorporation of media to support health and wellness in health science curriculum.
References
Lakshmi V. N. (2009). Identifying stressors among university students. In: Raju M. V. R. (ed., 164–172) Health psychology and counselling. Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery Publishing Hous
Andreou, E., Alexopoulos, E. C., Lionis, C., Varvogli, L., Gnardellis, C., Chrousos, G. P., & Darviri, C. (2011). Perceived Stress Scale: Reliability and validity study in Greece. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8(8), 3287–3298.
Bathje, M. (2012). Art in Occupational Therapy: An Introduction to Occupation and the Artist. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1(1). doi:10.15453/2168-6408.1034
Perruzza, N., & Kinsella, E. A. (2010). Creative arts occupations in therapeutic practice: A review of the literature. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(6), 261-268. doi:10.4276/030802210X12759925468943
