Artherapy improves attention in schizophrenic patients

Attention deficits and mood alterations are present in Schizophrenic patients (S). Since Artherapy (AT) stimulates emotional and attentional processes, necessary to realize an art product, this study was aimed to evaluate the effects of an AT treatment on attention and mood in S patient. 20 S took part in the study; they were dived into an experimental group (EG), submitted to AT treatment, and a Control group (CG). The two groups were no different in age, pathology beginning, pharmacology therapy (PT). Patients were submitted to an AT laboratory (lasting about two hours) every week, for one year. Before and after AT treatment, patients completed two Letter Cancellation Tasks (LCT), with both a low (LCT.2L) and a high attentional load (LCT.3L). Patients also completed mood visual analogue scales. Results showed an attentional improvement only for EG in both LCT.2L (accuracy:p<.03; speed:p<.03) and LCT.3L (accuracy:p<.01, speed:p<.004). Energetic activation increased only in GS (p<.04).