Creative activities like painting, dance and listening to music can greatly benefit people with MS. They help reduce stress, improve mood, and manage symptoms. For many, these forms of expression offer a sense of empowerment and a way to cope with the challenges of MS. As more people with MS explore creative activities, iConquerMS can help gather insights to better understand how the arts affect their well-being and symptoms.
Creative art encompasses a wide range of artistic expressions that enable individuals to channel their imagination, emotions, and personal experiences into something unique. This includes visual arts like painting, drawing, and sculpture; performing arts such as dance, theater, and music; and written or spoken forms like poetry and storytelling. With no strict rules or techniques to follow, creative art offers people the freedom to explore and express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in ways that are meaningful to them.
A 2014 study looked at the effect of a 4-week creative art program in 14 people with MS. Activities included watercolor painting, collage making, beading, and knitting. Each of the four weekly sessions lasted for 2 hours. Results showed the program worked well, helping participants feel better about themselves, more hopeful, and supported by others. It also improved their confidence in managing their MS. Investigators suggest that creative art could make a big difference in the lives of people with MS, and it should be studied further.
Investigators in the United Kingdom interviewed 5 adults with MS to understand what creating visual art means to them. Participants appreciated art-making because it helped them live a more fulfilling life, filled their free time in meaningful ways, and gave them a break from worrying about their illness. Creative classes provided a sense of community and the chance to learn new things. Creating art made them feel good emotionally and boosted their self-esteem. Many felt they were expressing important parts of who they are through their art. It also helped them cope with changes caused by MS while offering new opportunities and experiences.
Art therapy is a type of therapy that helps people express their emotions and thoughts through art, like drawing or painting. It can be useful for those who find it hard to talk about their feelings. By creating art, people can explore their emotions, relieve stress, and better understand themselves. Art therapy is often used in places like hospitals, schools, and counseling centers to support mental and emotional health.
A recent study looked at the effect of art therapy-based education in people with MS. 40 participants were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Both groups attended 14 classes that were 45 minutes long, with different content (the content of the experimental group’s classes was art therapy-based). Results showed that art-based education is effective in reducing the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and fatigue in people with MS. Researchers in Russia also explored how art therapy can improve neuropsychological disorders and enhance the quality of life in patients with relapsing-remitting and secondary-progressive MS. A group of 42 participants underwent a 6-month course of art therapy, resulting in a significant decrease in anxiety, an increase in positive attitude, and improved quality of life.
Dance therapy, or dance/movement therapy (DMT), is a form of therapy that uses movement to help improve mental, emotional, and physical health. It’s based on the idea that how we move reflects how we feel, and by dancing, people can express their emotions and connect their mind and body. Dance therapy can help reduce stress, improve strength/coordination, and boost overall well-being. It’s used in many settings, from mental health care to rehabilitation, to help people feel better emotionally and physically.
A 2016 study examined whether or not dance is a helpful and manageable activity for people with MS. Eight people with MS participated in two one-hour salsa dance classes each week for four weeks. Results show that structured dance is a safe and well-tolerated way for people with MS to stay physically active without causing increased fatigue. Additionally, it may help improve their balance and walking abilities.
Researchers in Belgium found that a combined dance and art program improved various MS symptoms. Seventeen participants with MS joined either a dance or art group for a 10-week program, ending with a public performance. The dance group had 90-minute classes twice a week, while the art group contributed through painting, music, spoken word, and photography. Both groups showed better cognitive function and less fatigue, but only the dance group improved in leg strength, walking, coordination, balance, and hand function.
Music therapy is a therapeutic practice that uses music to improve both physical and emotional well-being. Under the guidance of a trained therapist, individuals engage in creating, listening to, or performing music to achieve specific goals, such as reducing stress, boosting mood, or aiding physical recovery. This approach is used in various settings, including hospitals and schools, and benefits people of all ages, including those with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
Italian researchers found that playing a musical keyboard can improve hand function in people with MS. Nineteen participants with MS were split into two groups: one played on an active keyboard with audio feedback, while the other used a silent keyboard. Both groups trained for 30 minutes daily over 15 days and showed significant improvement in hand function.
German researchers explored the possible benefits of music therapy in neurodegenerative diseases. The study involved 20 participants with MS, split into two groups: 10 received music therapy in addition to standard of care, while the other 10 served as a control group, receiving only standard medical treatment. Over the course of a year, the therapy group participated in three blocks of 8 to 10 individual music therapy sessions. Results showed that those who received music therapy experienced improvements in fatigue, mood, and self-acceptance.
A recent review analyzed 10 studies with 429 participants—253 received music therapy, while 176 underwent standard treatments or no intervention. The research categorized music therapy into three types: neurological music therapy, instrument playing, and dance. Overall, music therapy proved more effective than standard treatments for improving walking, fatigue, coordination, balance, strength, emotional well-being, and pain management, though findings on mental fatigue and memory were mixed and unclear.
Creative activities like painting, dancing, and music can greatly improve the well-being of people with MS. The studies highlighted in this article illustrate that these forms of expression not only help reduce stress and manage symptoms but also foster a sense of community and self-empowerment. Initiatives like iConquerMS are essential in gathering valuable insights from the MS community, helping researchers better understand the profound impact of creative arts on health outcomes. By harnessing the collective experiences of those living with MS, iConquerMS supports the exploration of innovative therapeutic approaches that could lead to improved quality of life. As we continue to uncover the benefits of creativity in managing MS, it becomes increasingly clear that art is not just a pastime but a powerful tool for healing and resilience.
