Effects of Artistic Activity from the Perspective of Occupational Therapy on the Distress of Adult Women with Breast Cancer in a Hospital Setting: A Pilot Study with a Mixed-Methods Approach

• Grant number: 25/05685-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Flavia Liberman Caldas
• Grantee: Rafaela Xavier Pomar
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

AbstractObjective: To analyze and describe the effect of artistic activity from the perspective of Occupational Therapy on the distress of adult women with breast cancer. Method: A pilot mixed-methods study, conducted in a sequential nested design, will be carried out at the Department and Outpatient Clinic of Mastology at São Paulo Hospital. The study will involve five women diagnosed with any type and stage of breast cancer, aged between 18 and 60 years, and hospitalized in the early stages of treatment. The research consists of four phases: (1) assessment of distress levels using the "Distress Thermometer" and collection of sociodemographic, health, and art-related data deemed significant by the participants; (2) preparation of the artistic activities; (3) intervention; (4) reassessment using the evaluation tool and semi-structured interview. Expected results: It is anticipated that significant artistic activity, viewed through the lens of Occupational Therapy, will reduce distress and mitigate the impact of daily life disruption in adult women with breast cancer in the hospital environment.