Slow art plus: developing and piloting a single session art gallery-based intervention for mental health promotion via a mixed method waitlist randomized control trial
Frontiers in Public Health May 13, 2024 Andy Hau Yan Ho, Stephanie Hilary Xinyi Ma, Jing Ting Ng et al. 4 citations
A randomized controlled trial tested an enhanced version of the Slow Art program, called Slow Art Plus, which combines mindfulness, self-compassion, and creative reflection with Southeast Asian art. Compared to a waitlist control group, participants who completed the single-session program showed immediate improvements in spiritual well-being, describing thoughts and experiences, and nonreacting to inner experiences. One day after the program, the intervention group also showed significant improvements in perceived stress, mindfulness, active engagement with the world, and self-compassion. Focus groups identified themes of peaceful relaxation, self-compassion, and widened perspective. The program may be suitable for social prescribing initiatives.