Expressive Art in OT
"Expressive Art is a process by which various art modalities are used as a catalyst for creative expression to enhance personal growth, awareness and healing."
We’re not talking about fine art; and using a piece to necessarily express yourself. Expressive art focuses on the process, and uses the technique for improvement. This includes;
Visual arts
This includes painting, drawing, sculpting, pottery, photography, printmaking, crafts and scrapbooking. There’s supportive evidence that says these types of art increases sensory input. Fingers and hands have tons of nerve endings which transmit to the cerebral cortex, enriching the sensory experience to help children with motor development. It also helps with self of self, self esteem and perception of control over a situation. Helps with perceptual skills, global cognitive function, and helps reduce cognitive decline in older adults with Dementia.
Drama & Storytelling
Projective play with dolls or puppet helps kids with creating a comfortable atmosphere to express feelings of the play subject (kind of like “asking for a friend,” but for kids). There’s also purposeful improvisation; where the child acts out a situation that may be relatable. This will help them with expressing themselves, because the character portrayed is typically themselves. Scripting may be used to help with speech related issues like Aphasia, where a client reads from a script of a favorite movie/show or song. Research shows that drama and storytelling results in improvements in self-worth, overcoming self-imposed limitations, and in self-advocacy. Props are less antagonistic and threatening, and can aid in communication. Multi-sensory storytelling can be used to improve retention and recall for individuals with intellectual disability.
Dance and Movement
Improves strength, balance, and proprioception with kinesthetic activity
Reduces depressive symptoms
Slows cognitive decline
Activates motor neurological brain regions to improve muscle memory
Reduces fall risk
Stimulates communicative capacities through shared experiences in dance
Music and Singing
Increase neuroplasticity
Enhance alertness, leading to improved attention and memory
Decrease depressive symptoms and improve motivation
Activate multiple parts of the brain, fostering dendritic sprouting and synaptic plasticity
The way Occupational Therapists can blend this into practice is to use some of the visual arts for table top activities, role play different situations (short story), role playing, using a mirror to show dance movements, expressive writing. Contact us for creative occupational therapy sessions!
References
Dunphy, K., Baker, F. A., Dumaresq, E., Carroll-Haskins, K., Eickholt, J., Ercole, M., Kaimal, G., Meyer, K., Sajnani, N., Shamir, O., & Wosch, T. 2019. Creative Arts Interventions to Address Depression in Older Adults: A Systemic Review of Outcomes, Processes, and Mechanisms. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02655 2. Malyn, B. O., Thomas, Z., & Ramsey-Wade, C.E. (2020) Reading and writing for well-being: A qualitative exploration of the therapeutic experience of older adult participants in a bibliotherapy and creative writing group. Counseling and Psychotherapy Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12304 3. Masika, G., Yu, D.S.F., & Li, P. W. C. (2020) Visual art therapy as a treatment option for cognitive decline among older adults. A systemic review and meta-analysis. JAN, https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14362 4. Matos, A., Rocha, T., Cabral, L., & Bessa, M. (2015). Multi-sensory storytelling to support learning for people with intellectual disability: an exploratory didactic study. Procedia Computer Science, 67. 12-18. doi: 10.1016/j.procs. 2015.09.244 5. Morris, J., Toma, M., Kelly, C., Joice, S., Kroll, T., Mead, G., & Williams, B. (2015). Social context, art making processes and creative output: a qualitative study exploring how psychosocial benefits of art participation during stroke rehabilitation occur. Disability and Rehabilitation, 38(7), 661-672. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2015.1055383 6. Nguyen, M.A, Truong, T.K.O, & Le, T.H.D. (2016). Art therapy in combination with Occupational therapy in supporting children with special needs. The Vietnamese Journal of Education, 50-52. ISSN: 2354 0753 7. Osman, S. E., Tischler, V., & Schneider, J. ‘Singing for the Brain’: A qualitative study exploring the health and well-being benefits of singing for people with dementia and their carers. Dementia, 15(6), 1326-1339. DOI: 10.1177/1471301214556291
Roswiyani, R, Kwakkenbos, L, Spijker, J., & Witteman, C. L. M. 2017. The Effectiveness of Combining Visual Art Activities and Physical Exercise for Older Adults on Well-Being or Quality of Life and Mood: A Scoping Review. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 38(12), 1784-1804. 9. Schlaug, G. 2016. Chapter 81 – Melodic Intonation Therapy. Neurobiology of Language, 1015-1023. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-407794-2.00081-X 10. Skidmore ER, Butters M, Whyte E, Grattan E, Shen J, Terhorst L. Guided Training Relative to Direct Skill Training for Individuals With Cognitive Impairments After Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2017;98(4): 673-680. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2016.10.004 11. Vik, B., Skeie, G., & Specht, K. (2019). Neuroplastic Effects in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury After MusicSupported Therapy. Frontiers In Human Neuroscience, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2019.00177 12. Whale, Rosann. "ARTs Story." https://www.arts-story.com/expressive-arts/ 13. Yuen, H. K., Mueller, K., Mayor, E., & Azuero, A. 2011. Impact of Participation in a Theatre Programme on Quality of Life among Older Adults with Chronic Conditions: A Pilot Study. Occupational Therapy International, 18(4), 201-208. https://doi.org/10.1002/oti.327
