The Art of Analgesia: A Pilot Study of Art Museum Tours to Decrease Pain and Social Disconnection Among Individuals with Chronic Pain

• Published in: Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) Mass.), 2019-04, Vol.20 (4), p.681-691
• Main Authors: Koebner, Ian J, Fishman, Scott M, Paterniti, Debora, Sommer, Doris, Witt, Claudia M, Ward, Deborah, Joseph, Jill G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analgesia; Art galleries & museums; Art museums; Chronic pain; Feasibility studies; Museums; Pain; Pain management; Pain perception; Public health; Public health movements; Social interactions; Surveys
• ISSN: 1526-2375; 1526-4637
• DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny148

Abstract Objective This mixed-methods study examines the feasibility of art museum tours (Art Rx) as an intervention for individuals with chronic pain. Methods Art Rx provided 1-hour docent-led tours in an art museum to individuals with chronic pain. Survey data were collected pre-tour, immediately post-tour, and at three weeks post-tour. Pain intensity and unpleasantness were measured with a 0–10 numerical rating scale. Social disconnection was measured with a 12-item social disconnection scale. Participants also reported percent pain relief during the tour and program satisfaction in the post-tour survey. Change in pain and social disconnection was analyzed with paired t tests, bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrap confidence intervals (BCa CIs), and Cohen’s d. Thematic analysis of semistructured interviews with participants explored the feasibility and perceived impact of the program. Results Fifty-four individuals participated in this study (mean age [SD] = 59 [14.5] years, 64.8% female), and 14 were interviewed. Fifty-seven percent of participants reported pain relief during the tour, with an average pain relief (SD) of 47% (34.61%). Participants reported decreased social disconnection and pain unpleasantness pre- to post-tour (3.65, BCa 95% CI = 1.70–5.73, P