Comparing the Effects of Art Therapy and Mandala Application on State Anxiety Levels in Chemotherapy Patients

Comparing the Effects of Art Therapy and Mandala Application on State Anxiety Levels in Chemotherapy Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study

The research is planned as a randomized controlled trial with a two-group (art-based flow drawing and mandala), pre-test, post-test design.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Chemotherapy; Oncologic Disease
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Mandala therapy; Other: Art therapy

Detailed Description

This study aims to compare the effects of the "Dance of the Pen" (art-based flow drawing) and mandala activities on state anxiety in patients undergoing chemotherapy and to evaluate intervention satisfaction. The research is planned as a randomized controlled trial with a two-group, pre-test, post-test design. The study will be conducted in two hospitals in Istanbul with a total of 60 participants. The intervention group will receive the "Dance of the Pen" and mandala activities. Randomization will be based on the patients' chemotherapy session days, and the study will be conducted as a single-blind study. Data will be collected using a Personal Information Form, the State Anxiety Scale (STAI-I), and a Distress Thermometer. Interventions will be applied in structured sessions lasting approximately 30-60 minutes. The population of the study will consist of patients receiving chemotherapy at hospital, and those patients meeting the inclusion criteria will constitute the sample of the study. Participants will be informed about the study before the research begins. Those who agree to participate will be assigned to a randomized group and will undergo either the "Dance of the Pen" or "Mandala activity," both conducted as single-session interviews. Participants will complete a Personal Information Form and the STAI-I before the activity, and will also undergo the STAI-I and distress thermometer tests afterwards.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Dilek Baykal, Associate Professor; Phone Number: +902124443439; Email: dilek.baykal@atlas.edu.tr

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye), 34000
    • Recruiting
    • Basaksehir Cam Sakura Hospital
    • Contact: Sumeyye Tuncay; Phone Number: 02124443439; Email: dilek.baykal@atlas.edu.tr

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Must be receiving chemotherapy treatment
• Must be willing to participate in the research
• Must be literate
• Must be able to speak and understand Turkish

Exclusion Criteria:

• -Having any speech or comprehension impairment
• Being treated with other forms of treatment
• Having any accompanying psychiatric diagnosis
• Using any psychiatric medication
• Being enrolled in another program using a similar method could affect the study's outcome

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Mandala; Patients will be given a file containing mandala designs, and they will be asked to color the design of their choice with their preferred colored pencils (pastel, crayon, marker) throughout the treatment.	Other: Mandala therapy; Patients will be given a file containing mandala designs, and they will be asked to color the design of their choice with their preferred colored pencils (pastel, crayon, marker) throughout the treatment.
Experimental: Art therapy; During chemotherapy, the patient will be given a pen and will be played music. Following instructions, they will be asked to draw on the paper with their eyes closed and then interpret the drawing.	Other: Art therapy; During chemotherapy, the patient will be given a pen to hold with their eyes closed and asked to draw on a blank piece of paper according to the instructions. Afterwards, their drawing will be analyzed and interpreted.
No Intervention: Control group; Participants will only receive the clinical procedure. The clinical procedure will be an information session about the treatment.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
State anxiety scale	The State Anxiety Scale will be administered prior to the intervention, followed by randomly assigned art therapy or mandala practice. The State Anxiety Scale and distress thermometer will be administered again after the intervention is completed. A high score on the State Anxiety Scale indicates high anxiety levels.	6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Atlas University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 18, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 18, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 23, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 19, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 15, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: chemotherapy; oncology; art therapy; mandala
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms; Therapeutics; Complementary Therapies; Patient Care; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Sensory Art Therapies; Art Therapy
• Other Study ID Numbers: Atlas University

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No