The role of artistic creativity in chronic pain management

Abstract

Pain is a universal concept that affects everyone at one point or another. Chronic pain can last for over three months and persists longer, sometimes getting worse and resistant to most medical treatment, and usually remains unresolved. Therefore, this can leave a significant negative impact on any individuals’ well-being and overall quality of life. The theoretical framework for this study was based on the Gate-Control Theory of Pain (Melzack & Wall, 1965), which posits that distractions can alleviate feelings of pain. The aim of this study was to explore to what extent can artistically creative activities be used by individuals as a ‘self-help’ form of art-therapy, to manage their own pain. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach consisting of in-depth qualitative semi-structured interviews in the first phase, and followed by the second phase, which consisted of a diary study where the recruited participants were asked to record their pain levels in relation to a selection of artistically creative activities for a period of 4 weeks. An arts-based research method that resonates with the artistic and creative processes was also consulted, so as to have the artworks acting as modes of inquiry and investigation. From the main findings, it was evident that the five participants took a sudden charge of the “self”, and irrespective of perceived increase or decrease in their level of their pain, they still engaged in and completed an artistically creative activity during pain-induced periods. The findings also showed that on the majority of days, the activities: did act as a temporary distraction to the participants’ perceived pain level, and the pain level did decrease, and also helped them in forgetting about the pain. The study therefore revealed the research question can be answered, and that it supports Melzack and Wall’s (1965) Gate Control Theory of Pain, where the nerve impulses transmitting pain stimulation towards the brain, can be blocked by other methods and distractions.