Conducting Art Therapy Research Using Quantitative EEG Measures

This study presents a modified, single subject design that measured the patterns of electrical activity of a participant's brain following an hour spent painting and drawing. Paired t tests were used to compare pre and post art-making electroencephalograph (EEG) data. The results indicated that neurobiological activity after drawing and painting was statistically different (p <.05) from activity measured at a state of rest. In general, the higher frequency bands (alpha and beta) were characterized by increases in brain activity, whereas the lower frequency bands (delta and theta) showed decreases. This study suggests that the EEG is a useful and innovative tool for conducting art therapy research.