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Review
. 2022 Apr 1;88(2 Suppl 2):S120-S127.
doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000003103.

Art Therapy in Burn Cases: A Review and Case Examples

Bani Malhotra  1 , Susan A Anand  2 , Girija Kaimal  1
Affiliations
Review

Art Therapy in Burn Cases: A Review and Case Examples

Bani Malhotra et al. Ann Plast Surg. .

Abstract

In this article, we provide an overview of the literature on contributions of art making and medical art therapy for patients with burn injuries. The potential value of art therapy in addressing the complex physical and psychosocial needs of burn patients is discussed through examination of 7 peer-reviewed articles. Two case examples of burn survivors, 1 pediatric and 1 adult, are included to demonstrate the use of art therapy in an inpatient and outpatient setting, respectively. Art therapy and other intervention strategies for overall psychosocial adjustment of burn patients are often underutilized. Further research in art therapy is needed to examine the psychosocial aspects of burns patients and the potential role that medical art therapy may have in a burn care center.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: None.

References

    1. American Burn Association. Burn injury fact sheet; 2018. Available at: https://ameriburn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/nbaw-factsheet_121417-1... . Accessed March 25, 2021.
    1. World Health Organization. WHO burns; 2018. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/burns . Accessed March 25, 2021.
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    1. Hoogewerf CJ, van Baar ME, Middelkoop E, et al. Impact of facial burns: relationship between depressive symptoms, self-esteem and scar severity. Gen Hosp Psychiatry . 2014;36:271–276.
    1. Hornsby N, Blom L, Sengoelge M. Psychosocial interventions targeting recovery in child and adolescent burns: a systematic review. J Pediatr Psychol . 2020;45:15–33.

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