START UP! ART THERAPY HAS 3 PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH STUDIES PROVING IT WORKS!
Although post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children has been extensively studied during the past 15 years, little research exists regarding the efficacy of treatment interventions. This report describes an outcome-based art therapy research project currently conducted at a large urban hospital trauma center. Included are the theoretical rationale and overview of an art therapy treatment intervention called the Chapman Art Therapy Treatment Intervention (CATTI) designed to reduce PTSD symptoms in pediatric trauma patients. Used in this study, the CATTI was evaluated for efficacy in measuring the reduction of PTSD symptoms at intervals of 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after discharge from the hospital. An early analysis of the data does not indicate statistically significant differences in the reduction of PTSD symptoms between the experimental and control groups. However, there is evidence that the children receiving the art therapy intervention did show a reduction in acute stress symptoms.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07421656.2001.10129750
This study utilized Linda Chapman’s Chapman Art Therapy Trauma Intervention (CATTI) for acute trauma, to monitor reduction of trauma symptoms in a pediatric medical unit.
Although no statistically significant difference was determined, examination of individual symptom clusters revealed that intervention produced a reduction in all DSM-IV PTSD Criteria C (avoidance) symptoms at 1 week and sustained that decrease 1 month.
This may indicate that the CATTI may be effective in reducing acute stress symptoms, and may allow children to discuss and process their traumatic experiences more effectively when compared to the standard therapy group.
M. Mylant, Phd; C. MacCarthy, MA, ATR, LPCC; 2016-2018 PINERIDGE RESERVATION TRIBAL SCHOOL
This research study took place within two classrooms in 9-13 year old Native American students in a Tribal School on Pineridge Reservation, South Dakota, to monitor the reduction of PTSD symptoms utilizing the START UP! Art Therapy Program based on the Neurodevelopmental Art Therapy Four Stage Chronic Trauma Treatment model founded by Linda Chapman, ATR-BC, and rebranded as START UP! Art Therapy.
SUMMARY
Descriptive Data showed efficacy of trauma symptom reduction. There were no significant differences between the treatment and comparison groups. The mean scores of the comparison group were higher than the treatment group. However, the mean scores on post-test for anxiety, depression, anger, post traumatic stress, sexual concerns, and dissociation all decreased for the treatment group on post-test. Whereas, the depression and dissociation post-test scores increased for the comparison group even though post-test scores for anxiety, anger, and post traumatic stress decreased.
RESULTS
OVERALL
There was a significant difference in the scores in 10 out of 11 of the intervention weeks
PERCEIVED STRESS
There was a significant difference in the scores in the pre and post conditions.
RESILIENCE
The majority (83%) fell within the higher half of the resilience range. A post-test score of resilience was measured, but the change in scores was not significant.
MOOD
Significant difference in improvement in mood
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