Our lab conducts research and evaluation studies that examine health outcomes of art therapy and arts-based interventions. In addition we evaluate psychosocial learning outcomes of school based educational interventions (in the US and internationally).
The lab is led by Girija Kaimal, EdD, and her expertise lies in the areas of health outcomes of creative self-expression, art therapy research, program evaluation, qualitative and mixed-methods research.
She is the Principal Investigator for the first qualitative study funded by the Department of Defense on Gulf War Illness. She is also the PI for the National Endowment for the Arts Research Labs cooperative agreement, examining outcomes of art therapy for in hematology/oncology settings as well as military service members with PTSD and TBI. She is PI on a series of studies that examine the health outcomes of visual self-expression arts including changes in physiological indicators (like salivary cortisol, amylase, IL10, TNF alpha), brain activation (as measured by functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy, fNIRS) as well as psychological indicators like mood, perceived stress, and, self-efficacy. These studies include healthy adults participants as well as caregivers of patients facing chronic and terminal illnesses. Most recently she is examining outcomes of virtual reality artmaking using FNIRS technology. This study is being conducted in collboration with the International Arts+Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University.
In addition, she has a portfolio of research and evaluation studies funded by the US Department of Education, National Science Foundation as well as several foundations. Her grant funding to date totals approximately $3.3 million. Kaimal also serves as a research advisor to Oxfam America and Save the Children on international projects that examine issues of disparity related to gender, and, the role of the arts in education and human development. In a recent multi-year evaluation study on leadership development funded by Lehigh University (through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education) we are examined how participation in the arts could ignite learning transfer to leadership practices. Other prior research experiences include conducting secondary analyses of qualitative data from a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) longitudinal study of depression in families; and; a multi-disciplinary study on the outcomes of genetic testing for hearing loss funded by the National Institute of Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).
The HALE lab research team has presented and published peer-reviewed journal articles on the role of changes in neuroinflammatory markers as a result of art making, technology in art therapy practice, the psychosocial outcomes of arts participation across the life span, and using narratives in research.
Keywords: Visual self-expression, stress, art therapy, health outcomes, biomarkers, military, hematology/oncology, caregivers, virtual reality, indigenous and traditional art forms
Principal Investigator
Girija Kaimal, EdD, ATR-BC
Associate Professor - Counseling and Family Therapy
Health Sciences Building, 11th Floor, Room 11W22
60 N 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215.262.8914
Email: gk27@drexel.edu
ARTS RESEARCH on CHRONIC STRESS (ARCS) NEA Research Labs
糖心Vlog is the recipient of an inaugural grant under the National Endowment for the Arts’ Research Labs initiative. The lab at Drexel is Arts Research on Chronic Stress (ARCS). This lab conducts research studies at the intersection of the arts, health, and social/emotional well-being. In addition to the research studies, the lab also connects creative arts therapies with community-based arts organizations to enhance social engagement and overall well-being in those who have been affected by prolonged stressors such as chronic pain, extended caregiving, medical stress, and trauma. We include featured findings from the studies, including peer-reviewed manuscripts, technical reports, and relevant media links.
The lead investigators for the studies are Dr. Girija Kaimal, EdD, MA, ATR-BC (PI, Professor and Chair, Creative Arts Therapies Department, and Dr. Minjung Shim, PhD, BC-DMT (Co-PI, Assistant Professor, PhD program in Creative Arts Therapies).
CURRENT STUDIES: 2019-present
STUDY 1
Art Therapy in a hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant clinic for Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult patients: A pilot multi-site mixed-methods observational study
Psychosocial challenges are a well-established concern for pediatric, adolescent, and young adult hem/onc patients and their caregivers. Medical art therapy is a clinical intervention that addresses the psychosocial support needs of patients and families in healthcare settings. There are, however, few systematic studies that have examined clinical outcomes of art therapy for pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients, families, and healthcare providers, and none that have examined key psychosocial outcomes of art therapy, such as changes in affect, anxiety, as well as quality of life. The main objective of this pilot mixed-methods observational research study is to examine the associations between participation in open studio art therapy and outcomes of psychosocial well-being among pediatric, adolescent, and young adult hematology/oncology patients, families, and healthcare providers. This study is being conducted in collaboration with Tracy’s Kids, MedStar Georgetown Hospital, Children’s National Hospital, New York Presbyterian, and Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. To date, we have published on healthcare providers' perceptions of art therapy and the role of space in the pediatric hem/onc art therapy settings.
Publications:
STUDY 2
Assessing the perception and impact of doodling on attention and memory using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)
In this study, we study the differences in self-perception, attention, and memory as a result of engaging in doodling and note-taking while listening to auditory stimuli. Participants complete assessments of retention and recall while their brain activity and heart rate are monitored during the tasks. The study is expected to deepen our understanding of the impact of different forms of listening on attention.
COMPLETED STUDIES: 2017-2022
Health outcomes of visual self-expression for patients and caregivers of patients with cancer
Girija Kaimal, EdD, MA, ATR-BC led the study on arts-based approaches to promoting health and well-being for caregivers of patients with cancer. The study compared outcomes from two brief visual self-expressive approaches with patients, family caregivers and professional healthcare providers. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Radiation Oncology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. Caregivers of patients receiving treatment at the center, as well as health care providers, were recruited to participate. The variables to be examined in the study included affect, mood, perceived stress, and indicators of physiological health. The community component of the study included a public exhibition of artwork created during the study. The aim was to examine how integration of arts into different aspects of healthcare can impact both quality of life and quality of care.
A randomized controlled trial of art therapy for service members with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health conditions
TBI has been called the signature injury of OEF and OIF, primarily related to the increased survival rates of wounded Service Members (SMs) and the increased number of brain injuries related to blast exposures. Many of these SMs experience psychological health issues related to both neurologic injury and psychological trauma associated with combat experiences. To date, these psychological difficulties have been primarily treated through traditional behavioral health services, although recent research suggests that art therapy is an effective complementary therapy, as it allows SMs additional avenues by which to process, identify, and address their psychological difficulties using verbal and non-verbal methods. Although art therapy has been shown to be related to positive health outcomes in program evaluation studies of active-duty military SMs with TBI and post-traumatic stress, additional research is needed to determine its effectiveness with SMs with TBI and psychological health disorders. With this in mind, the current study proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of art therapy as a complementary therapy to standard behavioral health services in service members with TBI and psychological disorders. The goal of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of art therapy as a complement to other behavioral health interventions in the treatment of psychological difficulties in service members (SM) with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study is being conducted at Camp Lejeune.
Current Research team:
Dr. Kristyn Stickley
Delaine Duye
Emily Wells
Dr. Asli Arslanbek
Dr. Joanna Herres
Dr. Rebekka Dieterich-Hartwell
Publications:
CARE-MOVE Study: Online Mindfulness-Based Dance/Movement Therapy for Dementia Care Partners
The CARE-MOVE Study examines the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits of an online mindfulness-based dance/movement therapy (M-DMT) program for dementia care partners. The 10-week group intervention integrates mindful movement, psychoeducation, and facilitated peer support. The study explores how this approach may support stress management, psychological well-being, and caregiving relationships while offering opportunities for creative expression and social connection.
Dementia caregiving involves emotional, physical, and relational demands. CARE-MOVE provides a space for care partners to attend to their own experiences through movement and reflection, learn practical coping strategies, and connect with others navigating similar responsibilities. Its online format allows participants to join from home, reducing the need to travel for group support.
In Phase 1, 18 participants completed the intervention. Pilot findings indicated high feasibility, acceptability, and participant satisfaction. Qualitative findings suggested that participants experienced CARE-MOVE as a practical and supportive program that offered meaningful social connection and an embodied approach to caregiver support beyond verbal discussion alone. A manuscript reporting the Phase 1 feasibility findings has been submitted for publication. These preliminary findings support further investigation; they do not establish the intervention’s effectiveness.
Participant feedback informed refinements to the intervention content and delivery for Phase 2, which included an additional 18 participants. The revised intervention and immediate post-intervention assessments have been completed. Final three-month follow-up data collection is ongoing, and qualitative interviews are complete. The research team is preparing to analyze the Phase 2 data to examine participant experiences, intervention outcomes, and whether changes are maintained after the program ends.
A related qualitative project, Embodied Caregivers, explores the lived, embodied experience of dementia caregiving from a phenomenological perspective. Eight participants who completed CARE-MOVE participated in in-depth interviews. Data collection is complete, and phenomenological analysis will begin shortly. This project examines how caregiving is experienced through the body and how care partners describe the connections among movement, emotion, identity, and relationships.
Together, these studies connect intervention development with a deeper understanding of dementia care partners’ experiences. Findings will inform continued refinement of CARE-MOVE and future research on accessible, movement-based approaches to supporting care partners’ well-being.
Publications:
Papers, Media, and Technical Reports
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Reflection Papers
DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not represent the views of the National Endowment for the Arts Office of Research & Analysis or the National Endowment for the Arts. The National Endowment for the Arts does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information included in this material and is not responsible for any consequences of its use.