Conducting Evidence-based Research on the Expressive Arts
Dr. Jacek Pinski and his team of physicians, artists, expressive arts therapists, research coordinators and patient advocates, have devised ground-breaking clinical trials focused on creative, therapeutic interventions for patients receiving chemotherapy or who are undergoing painful medical procedures for which they are made to remain conscious.
Surgical: Outpatient Setting
Impact of Virtual Reality on pain and anxiety among cancer patients undergoing painful procedures: Bone Marrow Biopsy, Lumbar Puncture or Prostate Biopsy
Cancer patients endure numerous procedures, many of which are invasive, causing significant distress beyond the emotional hardships of the diagnosis itself. These studies aim to reduce the immediate difficulties of such procedures.
Virtual reality (VR) is the immersive simulation of a realistic, three-dimensional environment, generated via interactive software and hardware. The utility of VR as a companion to invasive procedures will be evaluated in terms of its psychological and biological impacts, through patient reported pain scores, anxiety surveys and through assessment of serum biomarkers correlated with pain and anxiety. The implementation of VR in the healthcare setting may serve as a cost-effective, non-pharmacological agent to alleviate pain, anxiety, and stress.
Non-pharmacologic therapies to decrease pain and anxiety are essential. The over-use of prescription medications and their related toxicity burdens patients, providers and healthcare resources. While art and music therapy have proven to be alternative forms of symptom relief, the merging of technology with art therapy is still in its infancy. VR is a medium combining art, music, and technology through its innovative construct, and is deliverable to users in any setting, including hospitals and clinics. To date, no large study has attempted to explore the effects of VR on pain and anxiety levels during acutely stressful conditions. These studies will evaluate patients with cancer undergoing elective procedures such as bone marrow biopsy, lumbar puncture or prostate biopsy. Feedback will be gathered through pain scales and anxiety surveys, along with biomarkers at specific time intervals. This will be the first dedicated VR program for hospitalized patients undergoing procedures in the US.
Inpatient Setting
Effect of Creative Interventions on anxiety, stress and quality of life among adult cancer inpatients: Expressive Arts Therapies, LaughMD Mobile app, Virtual Reality or Meditation through Guided Imagery
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are faced with both severe physical and emotional stresses during their treatment. Art and mindfulness-based therapies have been shown to improve quality of life among cancer patients. This study will assess the feasibility of expressive arts therapies, the LaughMD application, virtual reality and meditation through guided imagery on cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in the hospital. The utility of such approaches during inpatient chemotherapy administration will be evaluated in terms of its psychological and biological impacts, through patient reported pain scores, anxiety surveys, and assessment of serum biomarkers correlated with pain and anxiety. The implementation of different humor- and mindfulness-based therapies in the healthcare setting may serve as a cost-effective, non-pharmacological agent to alleviate pain, anxiety, and stress.