Thesis
Pediatric pain management via breathing exercises, guided imagery, & art therapy approaches
Master of Arts (M.A.), Drexel University
Jun 2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000078
Abstract
This thesis capstone project paper describes the development and then implementation of a pain management approach using a combination of deep breathing and guided imagery exercises as well as reflective art therapy interventions for hospitalized children and adolescents experiencing acute or chronic pain. The purpose of this hybrid art therapy and guided imagery approach was to help hospitalized children and adolescents understand their pain in new ways through creative thinking, and then work towards developing positive coping skills to find inner calm and comfort during pain experiences. The inclusion of an art response after participating in guided imagery and breathing exercises allowed the patients to externalize their ideas and imagined visualizations. This writer observed that common themes of safety, relaxation, mastery and control, somatic self-awareness, and empathetic witnessing of suffering were present throughout the implementation of this capstone approach in the individual art therapy sessions where guided imagery and creative art making were utilized. Based on observations from five total sessions utilizing this pain management method, the combination of guided imagery and art therapy interventions with hospitalized adolescents is appropriate and feasible. Further research exploring the receptivity of guided imagery and art therapy techniques with younger children is needed to expand the range of ages within the population.
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Details
- Title
- Pediatric pain management via breathing exercises, guided imagery, & art therapy approaches
- Creators
- Emma J. Wagner
- Contributors
- Natalie Carlton (Advisor) - Drexel University, Creative Arts Therapies
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- 78 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014739248804721