Art Therapy for Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain

one hour of expressive art intervention followed by one hour of exercise training. The art therapy will be conducted in small groups of eight participants, facilitated by a part-time registered expressive art therapist. Each session begins with a 5-minute introduction and check-in, welcoming participants and inviting them to share their current status. This is followed by a 10-minute brief mindfulness exercise to help center participants and promote relaxation, setting the stage for the creative activities that follow. The core of each session consists of a 20-minute art-making process centered around specific themes that guide participants in exploring their pain and personal narratives.

each one-hour session in the exercise control group will involve progressive back and general reconditioning exercises, along with back care education to support self-management of LBP.