Pilot Study of Supervised Group Art Therapy Combined With Exercise for Adults 18 to 59 With Chronic Low Back Pain

What this Trial Is About

Chronic low back pain CLBP is a common and disabling condition affecting many adults, impacting their physical, psychological, and social well-being. This pilot randomized controlled trial explores the feasibility and potential benefits of a new approach combining supervised group art therapy with exercise for adults living with CLBP. Researchers aim to assess recruitment, retention, adherence, and logistical challenges while gathering early data on improvements in pain, disability, psychological flexibility, and quality of life. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group will attend one-hour sessions of expressive art therapy led by a registered art therapist, followed by one hour of exercise training focused on mindfulness, creative expression, and pain exploration. The control group will receive one hour of progressive back and general conditioning exercises with education on back care to support self-management. These sessions will take place weekly over eight weeks. Throughout the study, participants will complete various assessments including pain intensity, functional disability, psychological measures, and health-related quality of life at baseline, post-intervention, and three months follow-up. Researchers will also gather feedback on satisfaction, burden, and willingness to continue via weekly questionnaires. Safety and adverse events will be monitored weekly, and qualitative interviews will explore participants experiences to identify factors that help or hinder engagement. The total study duration includes post-intervention follow-up assessments to evaluate feasibility and preliminary effectiveness.

Art Therapy for Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain