The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy in Nursing Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Nurcan Düzgün, Feride Ercan
Journal of Nursing Education April 1, 2026 DOI: 10.3928/01484834-20251119-01 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 53 |
| Population | Nursing students |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, with posttest and follow-up assessments |
| Measures | Critical Thinking Disposition scale, Self-Confidence scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Nursing students who completed an 8-week mindfulness-based art therapy program showed higher mean scores on critical thinking disposition and self-confidence than a no-intervention control group at posttest and follow-up (p < .001), while the groups did not differ significantly at pretest. The authors conclude that MBAT effectively enhances these outcomes. |
Abstract
Background: Critical thinking and self-confidence are important concepts for nursing students. This study aimed to investigate the effects of mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) on the critical thinking dispositions and self-confidence levels of nursing students.
Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted using a parallel-group design with pretest and posttest measurements. A total of 53 nursing students completed the study. The intervention group participated in an 8-week MBAT program, whereas the control group received no intervention during this period.
Results: During the pretest phase, the intervention and control groups showed no statistically significant differences in their mean scores on the Critical Thinking Disposition and Self-Confidence scales ( p > .05). However, following the MBAT program, the intervention group showed notably higher mean scores than the control group in both the posttest and follow-up assessments ( p < .001).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that MBAT effectively enhances critical thinking disposition and self-confidence levels in nursing students.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 5
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on the psychological well-being of nurses: A systematic review. Applied Nursing Research 2022
- Biobehavioral utility of mindfulness-based art therapy: Neurobiological underpinnings and mental health impacts Experimental Biology and Medicine 2020
- Changes in cerebral blood flow and anxiety associated with an 8-week mindfulness programme in women with breast cancer. Stress and Health December 2012