Art Therapy Drawing Protocols for Chronic Pain: Qualitative Findings From a Mixed-Method Pilot Study

Abstract This publication presents the qualitative findings from a mixed-method pilot study on three- and four-drawing protocols for chronic pain, which have demonstrated significant positive quantitative results. For this report, thematic analysis and magnitude coding of drawing titles, narratives, and characteristics including resource representations and integration, was conducted. Findings demonstrated positive changes associated with specific drawing protocol prompts and sequences. Participants (N = 25) reported positive changes, demonstrated in part by their final drawings, which integrated depictions of their resources. Findings included positive shifts in cognitive and affective functioning, social support, stress levels, psychological processing, pain experiences, and representations of self. These findings suggested further support for the clinical utility of drawing protocols for chronic pain.