The acceptability of colouring in as a mindfulness activity to reduce distress among adult chemotherapy in patients at Universitas Academic Hospital, Bloemfontein

Abstract

Mindfulness-based techniques have been used in the medical context to reduce patient distress. This study aimed to explore the acceptability of colouring in as a mindfulness-based activity for chemotherapy patients. In a randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of colouring in as a stress-reducing activity, 18 participants in the intervention group completed self-report questionnaires, an adapted distress scale, a 30-min colouring-in activity, a post-intervention distress scale as well as an acceptability questionnaire. This article reports on the high level of acceptability of this mindfulness-based activity. Over three-quarters of participants experienced it as positive, half recorded lower distress scores after colouring in, 83.0% reported a subjective reduction in distress and 89% confirmed that they would use the activity again. The high level of acceptability found in this study warrants further consideration of colouring in as a cost-effective mindfulness strategy.

Keywords

• mindfulness-based techniques
• mandala
• colour
• stress
• chemotherapy