An interventional study of Mandala in Cancer, Mandala and Psychological Well-being, sponsored by Istanbul Medeniyet University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-07.
Sponsored by Istanbul Medeniyet University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
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Cancer is one of the most significant global health issues of our time. Chemotherapy, one of the methods used to treat cancer, not only treats the disease but also causes numerous physiological and psychological side effects that adversely affect quality of life. It has been reported that treatment adherence problems are more common in patients with a high symptom burden associated with these side effects. For this reason, it is crucial that patients have achieved psychological adaptation to their condition and treatment in order for the treatment to be effective, to ensure that toxicity is kept under control, and to ensure that the course of the disease progresses favourably. In cases of illness and failure to adhere to treatment, this can lead to unnecessary visits to the doctor, visits to A\&E, hospitalisation, and an increase in the use of healthcare services and associated costs; it may also result in the development of treatment resistance, an increased burden on patients and carers, disease progression, and even death. Various non-pharmacological approaches, such as exercise, expressing emotions and art therapy, can be used to ensure the patient's adherence to treatment. It has been reported that mandala practice, a form of art therapy, reduces anxiety, fatigue, insomnia and stress. In light of this information, the aim of this study is to assess the effect of mandala practice on psychological adjustment to the disease and treatment, and on quality of life, in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Today, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. However, thanks to advances in medicine and modern technology, the availability of tests and diagnostic methods used to detect cancer at an early stage, and the use of increasingly effective treatments-including chemotherapeutic agents-the number of cancer survivors is also rising. Chemotherapy, one of these treatment methods, not only treats the disease but also causes numerous physiological and psychological side effects that adversely affect quality of life. It has been reported that treatment adherence problems are more common in patients with a high symptom burden associated with these side effects. For this reason, it is crucial that patients have achieved psychological adaptation to their condition and treatment in order for the treatment to be effective, to ensure that toxicity is managed, and to ensure a positive progression of the disease. In cases of non-adherence to treatment or non-compliance with the condition, this can lead to unnecessary visits to the doctor, visits to A\&E, hospitalisation, and an increase in the use of healthcare services and associated costs; it may also result in the development of treatment resistance, an increased burden on patients and carers, disease progression, and even death. Various non-pharmacological approaches, such as exercise, expressing emotions and art therapy, can be used to ensure the patient's adherence to treatment.Mandala, one of the forms of art therapy, is a Sanskrit term meaning 'circle' or 'centre'. It describes designs created by the repetition of geometric patterns in various forms, centred around a point and arranged in a pattern. Its origins date back to India, and it is a form of art practised in Asian culture as a means of religious contemplation and meditation. The mandala, one of the tools used by art therapists, is employed to promote relaxation and generate positive energy. It is believed that the drawings people make inside the circle represent their thoughts at that moment, help them to forget the turmoil they are experiencing, and assist them in withdrawing into themselves by enabling them to concentrate on the act of drawing itself. A review of the literature indicates that mandala practice has been reported to reduce anxiety, fatigue, insomnia and stress. In light of this information, the aim of this study is to assess the effect of mandala practice on psychological adjustment to the disease and treatment, and on quality of life, in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
10,822 studies on the registry are indexed under Neoplasms; 2,324 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 40 is below the median of 60 across 7,704 interventional studies indexed under Neoplasms.
Browse Neoplasms studies →Istanbul Medeniyet University is the lead sponsor of 192 studies on the registry; 17 are open to participants now.
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Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hemoglobin (Hb)
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The control group will complete the Patient Information Form, the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the Psychological Impact of Cancer Scale; no specific intervention will be carried out, and the clinic's standard protocol will be followed.
After watching an instructional video on how to carry out the mandala activity, the patient will complete their first mandala colouring session during the treatment. The patient and their family will then be sent home with a mandala colouring book and coloured pencils to carry out the mandala activity on a weekly basis. The experimental group will repeat the mandala activity once a week for 8 weeks as part of their chemotherapy treatment, with each session lasting 60-90 minutes (a different mandala will be provided each week). They will be able to choose any design and colour they wish from the mandala book. Patients will be advised to listen to classical music during the activity. Patients will be contacted by telephone on a weekly basis to check whether they have carried out the mandala session.
Behavioral: Mandala
Arm Description: After watching an instructional video on how to carry out the mandala activity, the patient will complete their first mandala colouring session during the treatment. The patient and their family will then be sent home with a mandala colouring book and coloured pencils to carry out the mandala activity on a weekly basis. The experimental group will repeat the mandala activity once a week for 8 weeks as part of their chemotherapy treatment, with each session lasting 60-90 minutes (a different mandala will be provided each week). They will be able to choose any design and colour they wish from the mandala book. Patients will be advised to listen to classical music during the activity. Patients will be contacted by telephone on a weekly basis to check whether they have carried out the mandala session.
Change in the Psychological Impact of Cancer Score, as Measured by the Psychological Impact of Cancer Scale, Compared with the Baseline Value.
The psychological impact of cancer will be assessed using the Psychological Impact of Cancer Scale. Higher scores indicate a better psychological impact.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8.
Change in patients' quality of life scores, as measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30, compared with baseline
Patients' quality of life will be assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire) scale. Higher scores indicate a higher quality of life.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Plan to share: No
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Ran from Dec 2024 to primary completion in Aug 2025, 8 months.
Of 1,983 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Neoplasms, half reached primary completion within 29 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 13 and three quarters within 52. This study's 8 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 2,058 studies reached it within 29 months; a quarter within 13 and three quarters within 52.
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This study is completed, as verified in Aug 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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