Effects of Creative Arts Intervention on Anxiety, Depression and Sleep Quality Among Bone Marrow Transplantation Patients During Protective Isolation

BACKGROUND: Protective isolation remains part of the standard of care for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant in many places of the world. The consequences of protective isolation include increased anxiety and depressive symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of creative interventions performed during the protective isolation period on anxiety, depression symptoms, and sleep quality of patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT). INTERVENTIONS/METHODS: This study was a randomized, controlled, pre-post pilot design. A total of 20 patients made up the sample group. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 9) or control group (n = 11). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was applied to patients on the first day of admission to the unit and on the day of discharge. Questions prepared by researchers on sleep quantity and quality were administered every day during the patients' hospitalization. The patients in the experimental group carried out creative arts intervention for a total of 60 minutes a day, 3 to 4 days a week, while they were in the unit. RESULTS: There was no difference in depression, anxiety, and sleep quality scores between the groups after intervention. However, depression and anxiety scores significantly decreased after the intervention in the experimental group, and sleep quality scores improved significantly. CONCLUSION: Creative arts intervention may be beneficial for anxiety, depression, and sleep problems among patients undergoing BMT. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Creative arts intervention is effective in coping with anxiety, depression, and sleep problems that patients may experience due to social isolation during the BMT process.