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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07702682

Visual Art Therapy on Caregiver Burden

This study aims to determine the effect of Zentangle practice on perceived caregiver burden, stress levels, and burnout among family caregivers of patients receiving palliative care. Zentangle is a visual art therapy method used for meditative purposes by promoting creativity and focused attention in individuals under stress, which can facilitate mental relaxation, stress relief, and mindfulness. The study is designed as a randomized controlled experimental trial with a pretest-posttest design. The sample consists of 60 family caregivers of patients hospitalized in a palliative care unit, randomized into an intervention group (n=30) and a control group (n=30). Participants in the intervention group receive a two-week meditative art therapy intervention based on the Zentangle method, while data are collected through face-to-face interviews using validated psychological scales before and after the intervention period.

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Key information

Conditions

Psychological Stress Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Burnout, Psychological Caregiver Burden Family Caregivers Palliative Care Stress, Psychological

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Fırat University

Elâzığ, 23100, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Background: Zentangle is a visual art therapy method that can be used for meditative purposes by promoting creativity and focused attention in individuals under stress, thereby indirectly facilitating mental relaxation, stress relief, and mindfulness.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of Zentangle practice on perceived caregiver burden, stress levels, and burnout among family caregivers of patients receiving palliative care.

Design: This study was designed as a randomized controlled experimental trial with a pretest-posttest design and was conducted between March and June 2025.

Setting/Participants: The study sample consisted of 60 family caregivers of patients hospitalized in a palliative care unit, including 30 participants in the intervention group and 30 in the control group.

Intervention: Participants in the intervention group received a two-week meditative art therapy intervention based on the Zentangle method. The control group followed the standard routine care process without the art therapy intervention.

Data Collection: Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. The data collection tools included an Individual Descriptive Information Form, the Caregiver Burden Scale, the Caregiver Stress Index, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey. These tools were administered to both groups as pretest measures before the intervention and as posttest measures immediately following the completion of the two-week study period.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Being a family caregiver of a patient hospitalized in the palliative care unit

Volunteering to participate in the study

Being aged 18 years or older

Being able to communicate in the local language

Providing care for the patient for at least one month

Exclusion criteria

Having a previously diagnosed major psychiatric illness or cognitive impairment that prevents participation in art therapy

Having visual or physical impairments that interfere with performing fine motor tasks required for the Zentangle method

Participating in any other concurrent psychological or art therapy intervention during the study period

Treatment and study plan

Visual arts design training program

Behavioral

The fact that this type of sampling has never been applied before.

Primary outcomes

  1. Caregiver Burden Scale

    Time frame: 2 months

    Outcome Measure Title: Change from baseline in Caregiver Burden Scale scores at 2 weeks.

    Description: Caregiver burden is assessed using the Caregiver Burden Scale. The scale evaluates the physical, emotional, and social burden experienced by caregivers. Total scores range from 0 to 88, with higher scores indicating a higher perceived caregiver burden.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Caregiver Stress Index

    Time frame: 2 months

    Outcome Measure Title: Change from baseline in Caregiver Stress Index scores at 2 weeks.

    Description: Caregiver stress levels are assessed using the Caregiver Stress Index. This tool evaluates the stress related to caregiving activities. Total scores range from 0 to 13, with higher scores indicating a higher level of caregiver stress.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Firat University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Visual Art Therapy Applied to Family Caregivers of Patients Hospitalized in a Palliative Care Unit on Caregiver Burden, Caregiving Stress, and Burnout: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Acronym: Visual art

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 14, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 14, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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