Ross EA et al. (2006) Observational study of an Arts-In-Medicine Program in an outpatient hemodialysis unit. Am J Kidney Dis 47: 462–468

Impaired quality of life and depression—common findings in patients on maintenance hemodialysis—can be ameliorated with participation in activities such as drawing, painting, crafts, writing and music. This is the finding of an observational study of an Arts-In-Medicine Program led by artists and volunteers at the University of Florida and Shands Outpatient Dialysis Unit.

For the 46 long-term hemodialysis patients who participated in the art projects during dialysis sessions, quality of life was assessed using the SF-36® (Medical Outcomes Trust, Inc., Waltham, MA) and the BDI® (The Psychological Corporation, San Antonio, TX). After 6 months, limitations due to physical health problems were fewer (P = 0.04), mean weight gain was reduced (P = 0.02), mean serum carbon dioxide and phosphate levels were slightly greater (P <0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively) and there was a trend towards less depression than at baseline. Patients with high levels of participation in the program had significantly better mean scores after 6 months for social function (P = 0.01) and bodily pain (P = 0.04) than those who participated less. Subjectively, the Arts-In-Medicine Program had an overall positive impact on quality of life, with many participants commenting that they felt more content during dialysis treatments following participation in the program. The activities did not disrupt nursing protocols or cause logistical problems in the dialysis unit.

The entire Arts-In-Medicine Program costs between US$350 and $650 per month, thereby making it an inexpensive approach to improving quality of life in long-term hemodialysis patients. The program might be preferable to conventional strategies for improving quality of life, such as pharmacological therapy for depression.