Art group to support stroke patients’ rehabilitation

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An innovative art therapy group is helping with rehabilitation for stroke patients at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WHH).

The group, led by Janette Singleton, Occupational Therapy Clinical Lead, began in September 2023 as part of a project to help increase activity and prevent the deconditioning of stroke patients.
There is growing evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of both art and music therapies on mood and cognitive function in stroke patients, as well as an increased patient motivation to engage in therapy compared to other rehabilitation activities.
The group’s activities vary from simple to more complex, depending on the patients and their level of physical and cognitive functioning. As part of the group, patients work on crafts with different themes and to mark occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Remembrance Day and the Olympics. Sessions are held every Wednesday morning and are delivered by the Trust’s Occupational Therapy (OT) Team, in conjunction with the Stroke Association.
Since its introduction, the group has had significant benefits, helping to encourage movement out of bed, connecting patients in a group setting and providing time away in a quiet and calm environment to reduce anxiety and stress. Participation in the group offers a welcome distraction from boredom that some patients face if they are staying on the ward for a longer period of time. The sessions have been well received, and when asked about the group one patient said it is the ‘highlight of the week’.

The positivity surrounding the group hasn’t just impacted the patients, but the staff on the ward too. Janette explained that: “Staff love getting to know the patients and learning about them as people in a more social situation. You can see the patients visibly relax in the group, and it has a very calming effect. It’s so lovely to hear the patients laugh too.”
The art group complements the existing music group, which was formed in early 2023, to provide a programme of activities that encourage a more holistic approach to stroke rehabilitation. Thanks to the success of these groups, the team have also launched a games group and an upper limb exercise group, meaning there is now a group activity held on the ward each Monday to Friday that patients can attend.
The development of the groups has led to a direct improvement in patient wellbeing and outcomes. The sessions offer more than just a distraction, they support improved mood, patient and staff engagement, and foster a social and emotional connection, with friendship circles being formed between patients.
There was even a remarkable instance where a patient who had been unable to speak for eight weeks surprised themself and the staff by singing ‘We are the Champions’ by Queen, leaving everyone in tears.
Janette’s hard work has not gone unnoticed, and she was recently commended with the Trust’s first Evidence into Practice Award. The award, developed by WHH’s Knowledge and Evidence Service, highlights best practice of utilising research papers and evidence to support the development of creative interventions and approaches to support patients.


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