Author: Cheyenne Von Thun Und Hohenstein Veit

After my tutorial on the independent study break (20th of July), I decided to proceed in a slightly different direction with my topic. The focus on stroke patients should remain the same, nevertheless, I realized that creating something which can be accessed from various institutions, such as hospitals and rehabilitation places, as well as the home would reach and support more people, rather than taking space that might be needed for more essential notions, such as spaces for patients in general. Supporting stroke patients also outside hospitals and making more people gain the ability to use a service seemed more effective and smart at this point of my project. Therefore thoughts of more defined research questions arose, such as ”How can stroke patients find more motivation and engage more with their equipment to get better, as well as being more responsible for their own health.”

As I explained, through my conversations and interviews, I realized that many stroke patients do not use or find inspiration in using their equipment to train their hands and make themselves feel better. With this, I recognized a real issue that could be solved by making the training more fun. Just like merging a real-life game with the stroke patient equipment and motivating the patient with this.

With this, the next steps came to my mind, such as interviewing a physiotherapist in order to find out how often and much people follow their ”homework”, and exercises to see if this new invention could be useful in this segment too.

With interventions, for instance, the intended game could be tested by stroke survivors and they could record their journey for a week (self-documentation). After this, process questions could be asked and the project could change and advance according to the feedback.

Other than this, another intervention could be to show the game and ask a group pf people questions about it. With this, issues can be highlighted such as difficulties in understanding can be figured out.

Factors that need to be realized are if it is tailored for the audience.

In this process, I realized and learned that creating an item that can be accessed by a bigger crowd can help more people instead of offering it just in one space.

Below you can find example images of equipment balls that often stroke patients cannot motivate themselves with using from the conversations I had.

In order to develop a more comprehensive understanding for stroke patient research, I started contacting someone who has lived with a stroke survivor for years and therefore obtains knowledge of what therapies were in this case helpful, and what did not really support the healing process of the patient. In this case, the right side of the brain was affected and the left side of the body was restricted. To be more specific, the left arm and hand was paralysed, which also meant the patient was not able to open up their hand orproperly move their leg.

Therapies, such as ”Logotherapy” were tested on the patient in order to regain and relearn speaking properly, as in this case also the left side of the face had fallen. This type of therapy also reduced the issues which came with swallowing.

In addition, ”Ergotherapy” was tested by this patient, to find a way back into normal life such as dressing and perform regular activities on their own, such as putting on socks.

”Psychotherapy” to deal with depression and the new circumstances was also a big part of the process in the first year.

”Bobath concept therapy” was another healing method adopted by this person, in which new patterns of movement were learnt for better mobility and to build up new neutral pathways. In this case, the same movements were frequently repeated to build up neutral pathways.

Equipment used was a hard rubber ball that had to be squeezed as often as possible. This was helpful for making the hand smooth again.

Again, water played a significant role within the healing process, such as movement like walking or using underwater bicycle. This made the movements more smooth and the person lighter in the water. Additionally, the risk of falling and getting hurt was reduced. Placing the body in water can have the effect of a massage and the pressure the water has on the body pushes the blood back into the heart area, which then leads to a bigger volume of the heart, the heart frequency goes down and the heart works more economically. Lastly, the breathing becomes trained, as the pressure of the water makes breathing in more difficult. In the water, almost all the muscles are getting a training, more than outside the water.

Light therapy, helped this patient to fight depression, (which often comes with a stroke), as a completely new way of living is happening to the patient. This light has 10000 lux and is brighter than a regular light inside the room. You don’t have to directly look inside and can use it while doing other things, such as eating a meal.

Overall, the interviewee mentioned and concluded that therapy inside the water was in her opinion the most helpful, due to the fact the whole body can be moved and more is being trained than in the other therapies that were tried.

Tactile feelings play a crucial role in training after a stroke. https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-021-00821-7

Stroke patients can find support in their healing process and recovery through being exposed to tactile feeling and touch. A study conducted on rats showed that those rats who received tactile treatment, really found support in their healing process.

https://www.ulethbridge.ca/unews/article/touch-therapy-helps-brains-recover-following-stroke

This was due to touch and tactile therapies helping the brain to improve and improve again.

Researcher Dr. Gerlinde Metz who is a neuroscience professor and Alberta Heritage Medical Senior Scholar, mentioned how motivating it is to see that tactile therapy genuinely has a positive outcome on stroke patients, as most therapies in this area have been ineffective.

Returning to the experiment conducted on rats, it showed that after massaging them with brushes for about 20 minutes motor tasks were fulfilled to a greater degree.

https://www.ulethbridge.ca/unews/article/touch-therapy-helps-brains-recover-following-stroke

While conducting my research around touch, I wanted to take a deeper look into existing equipment for stroke patients too, in order to see what could be implemented within my tactile art and healing environment.

As most stroke survivors struggle with their motor skills, those are helpful to work on them again by themselves too and be stronger too besides just having a therapist.

One example that can be affected after a stroke is the hand (as mentioned), and in most cases only one half of the body, as one side of the brain controls the other (opposite) side of the body. As in most cases, only one side of the brain is limited to the stroke, only one hand or side is impacted, in this case the opposite side.

Additional consequences can be areas being paralysed, weak, stiff and tense. In some cases it can also lead to shaking in the muscles.

The following equipment can be supportive and help:

–Therapy balls for the hand are good on the go, as the can be taken anywhere with the patient. They exist in different levels of softness/hardness and can make the person’s hand stronger. Softer balls can increase strength, whereas hard balls are good for stretching.

–Therapy putty which can be imagined as dough is extremely useful since it can be used everywhere during the day and also has different levels of hardness. The more patients use it, the stronger they become and the harder the dough can be.

-A tougher tool that can be used if one wants a more challenging tool are finger exercisers which allow the patient to focus on each single finger individually, as they demand to be squeezed and pressed down one by one.

Finger exerciser

-A tool that is slightly different from the rest is the PVC pipe tree, as it demands the person to hold, grab and add pieces together, as well as undoing them again. Usually there are exact instructions of how to add the small pipes together and what shows with the help of an image the final form which has to be followed. This helps patients especially for their organizing and coordination techniques.

PVC pipe tree

Movement is an aspect that is especially important for stroke survivors and patients.

Therapists suggest training with a Wii (Gaming), singing along to songs, or creating music yourself.

The feeling of water or touching rocks is also beneficial, hence why aquarium making is also suggested. Calligraphy or making jewellery, as it requires having proper control over your hand is also extremely helpful for stroke patients and trains the hand. Anything that keeps one moving and trains the problem area is essentially beneficial for these patients, for which reason I see tactile art being extremely complementary.

https://www.flintrehab.com/activities-for-stroke-patients/

In image 3, an image of art you can touch and feel. This is a specific type of art that I personally see being integrated into an engaging hospital escape room, and which is also different from regular and existing art therapy. Plus, it is supportive for stroke patients as engaging with items or art patients will be more beneficial for this distinct hospital patient.

Additional exercises that are beneficial for stroke patients are balance boards, as they can assist with balance when walking, and dough, which can make the hands stronger and one gain better coordination again. Similarly, to that, exercise balls are efficient for hand movement and stretching hands.

A different method is a mirror box in which the affected hand will be inside the box and the healthy hand outside. When you train with the hand which is not affected it will trick the brain into thinking and give the illusion that both hands are working and will motivate both hands to move.

Certain art forms that combine those elements in a room are also something I envision and again unique compared to art therapy.

https://www.flintrehab.com/stroke-rehab-equipment/

Colour therapy or also called chromotherapy, can be described as a frequency of diverse colours that have an influence on our physique and body. There is scientific evidence that each colour within the spectrum of colours holds a different frequency, as well as each section of our body also obtains diverse frequencies and these colours can have a positive change on us.

Many of us feel different depending on what colour different interiors have or when we glance at something with a specific colour tone. Almost everyone has a favourite colour or a dislike towards special colours and some dislikes can come from past experiences that were negative and can make people feel uncomfortable about it. Nevertheless, it can also be the opposite and can bring the positive out of many. With the different vibrations a colour has it can also be healing for patients. This can easily be compared and imaged with how people feel towards a certain genre of music, which can be equally positive or negative.

Colours especially good for healing that have been tested and researched about in clinics showed that specific frequencies of blues can have a calming effect on people, which can be applied when suffering from headaches for instance, or pain in general. Other than blue, brown which is a colour of the earth, can be supportive of feeling mindful and receptive.

Many people struggling with anxiety paint the colour of their bedroom differently, in order to sleep better, in this case with hospital patients with blue tones, due to it being relaxing. Citrus orange on the other hand can make people more creative. For energy orange and yellow will help.

Gold is in addition is another example for a healing colour, as it is harmonious. This color benefits humans with a sensitive soul and a lot of empathy.

Link to the intervention:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1albHFynEdG7qqdfGOm6lWfkvfW8LK5mVadLXAByic5Q/edit#slide=id.g2553db98e4c_0_2

Example:

Analysis:

I sent this intervention out to 10 participants of which 7/10 engaged with my intervention. In general, the results overlapped, as the majority of participants mentioned solutions, such as uplifting color (greens and pastel), tactile furnishings (e.g. cushions – participant 4), light therapy technology, and natural light sources such as large windows. Based on this, my findings show that it aligns with my research methods regarding color and emotional well-being. My research on Vastu and Feng-Shui is significant with the application of placing plants and natural elements. Participants also suggested some art forms, such as projections of clouds as natural visual references and also Bluetooth connection to listen to sounds.

Just as music is used to evoke emotions, color is applied to have a similar effect. While creating a film, the influence of color is crucial and can change how a character is portrayed, get the viewer through the story and can change how the watcher responds to the movie.

As already mentioned in my previous blog, some color palettes depict a specific spirit and mood. Various color palettes can make people feel different according to which one is chosen. It tells a story and can make people aware of certain objects too. Purple is mysterious and is often used in fantasy. This also reminded me of the conversation with a peer when she mentioned how purple was portraying a mystique feeling for her.

It also has to be kept in mind that people from different countries and cultures can associate with colors connected to heritage and background.

Red in film is connected to fire, fight, passion, risk, danger, etc. It is alarming for the viewer and grabs them.

Pink is a feminine, flirtatious, sweet color, a color connected to charm and appeal.

Orange is a color of being happy, comfort, feeling well and being polite.

Yellow gets the viewer and is highly attention grabbing, one of the most outstanding colors, hence why it is being used as a color of rescue vehicles often times. In film, the color connects with addiction, illness, but also intelligence.

Green represents nature, luck, feeling healthy and the healing process. This definition and connection of green being part of healing is something, I come across in many different sectors.

Nevertheless, blue is also a color of our planet and of nature when thinking of the oceans and the sky. In film it shows coolness, trust and assurance, as well as being devoted and loyal.

Purple finally, is a color of mystique, fantasy, the elite and spiritual.

It can be said that in conclusion, with the correct method in choosing color, emotions can be heightened further which can make the movie overall more influential.

The research of color usage is especially important for me to understand what other artists use in their works to make people feel differently, which is what I aspire to achieve by introducing patients to light and other art forms to relax, heal and feel better.

https://www.ipr.edu/blogs/digital-video-and-media-production/color-theory-in-film-a-video-producers-guide/

Current (old) question:

How can new forms of creativity be incorporated as a healing element in hospital environments?

List of options:

The redefined question that I have connected out of the options below:

How can we create healing spaces to improve the process for stroke survivors, by reducing anxiety and depression in hospital environments, using alternative approaches such as Vastu Shastra, Feng-Shui, light therapy, and creative influences by artists (e.g. tactile art, geometric art, chromotherapy etc.)?

Updated version:

How can we create healing spaces to improve the process for stroke survivors, by reducing anxiety and depression in hospital environments, using alternative cultural and traditional approaches and creative influences by artists (e.g. tactile art, geometric art, chromotherapy etc.)?

Suggestions:

-How can we create healing spaces that facilitate a different approach to wellness?

-How can we create more accessible healing spaces?

-How can we disrupt hospital environments to provide alternative spaces for healing?

-Do hospital environments require alternative spaces for healing?

-Can hospital environments provide alternative healing spaces for stroke patients?

-Can hospitals adapt their environment to accommodate healing spaces in stroke wards?

-Could healing spaces for stroke patients assist their recovery in hospital environments using methods such as light, Vastu Shastra, and Feng Shui approach?

-How can stroke patients within hospital environments get better accessible spaces for their healing process?

-How can hospital spaces provide alternative healing spaces for stroke patients?

-How can we create spaces for healing with a different approach that stroke patients can access for their well-being and wellness?

-How can we provide stroke patients in hospitals with an alternative healing space with a contemporary touch?

-Can art forms like light, scent, and tactile art influence the healing and well-being of stroke patients?

-How can artists create a space for wellness and healing to improve the healing process for stroke survivors?

-How can we ease and improve the well-being of stroke survivors?

-How can elements of Feng-Shui and Vastu-Shastra be used to facilitate the well-being of stroke survivors?

-How can light and tactile artists be linked to the healing process of stroke patients?

-How can we reduce anxiety and depression that stroke patients have to suffer from?

-How can we draw more attention to a different approach to healing for stroke survivors?

-How can we apply light, Feng-Shui, and Vastu Shastra to hospital environments to support the healing process of stroke patients?

The application of colors in cinema means describing a mood and communicating a matter or question. Color is important for directors of different kinds of genres and is able to influence how a movie is watched and perceived by a viewer. Additionally, it can totally change and influence the feelings and emotions of the person watching.

A famous director that many will think of when it comes to the play of color is Wes Anderson as he uses color fearlessness and bravely.

Wes Anderson

Examples of his color usage in his movies

While the Anderson movies portray a rather joyful mood with a yellow, green, and orange layer, director Stanley Kubrick uses geometric forms and colors like white and black in order to make people a bit more uncomfortable and concerned. This unfriendliness was not only mostly created with colors like white, but also jarring reds.

Movie cutout of a Stanley Kubrick movie: A Space Odyssey (2001)

Denis Villeneuve, director of the renowned movie ”Dune” on the other hand uses bright and neon colors to make the movie and image more significant and strong in terms of emotion when it comes to its characters. This specific film director for instance uses colors like blue as a sign of privacy and red for exploring and detection. https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/denis-villeneuve-color-theory-video-1201923620/

Movie cutout of Blade Runner by Denis Villeneuve:

Telling stories through color and image.

Other few examples of well-known directors who value color in their movies are Tim Burton, Baz Luhrmann, and Nicolas Winding Refn.

In addition, David Lynch uses daring and expressive colors in his surrealist imagery.

https://movieweb.com/movie-directors-play-with-color/#wes-anderson

The rationale for observing how those filmmakers work is that the envisioned imagery projection and film that should be installed within hospital spaces, and the consideration of colors can have a powerful effect on emotion. Taking this knowledge from experienced artists who know the effects of color can be adapted to my hospital environment experience and can have an influence on people’s moods just in a similar approach.

The rationale for people using art therapy

Since exploring healing, new forms of art and how to support stroke patients, I want to dwell deeper into already existing methods, in order to find out what could be developed further, and what might still be unexplored.

This podcast discusses healing through the medium of art, such as drawing.

The podcast participants mentions how art therapy assists people through situations in life. A simple example are students at school who sketch and doodle during class in order to concentrate better or to relax.

Many though, stay away from using art to heal and feel better, due to the fact that they do not feel good enough to create art.

One participant of the podcast described how for him it works to create different playlists with diverse kinds of music and then seeing how it affects your art and how it makes you feel. This can also bring out hidden emotions and unlock and communicate feelings, as well as thoughts that cannot be said with words.

Art can be used therefore to understand other people better and is the reason for being used. While articulating feelings, patients are allowed to realize and process them. Hence, this is  why many use art to draw their past drama and also look easier into the future by drawing it as it less in your mind with art forms, since the feelings are released through expression.