Woman with paint stroke hair in a flower field, symbolizing healing through art.

Unlock Your Inner Artist: How Painting Can Boost Well-being for Breast Cancer Patients

Author's portrait.
Lena Voss in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the power of 'Inner Correspondence' and how art therapy is helping breast cancer patients find relaxation, improve mood, and cope with their journey."


Art therapy, especially mindfulness-oriented painting, is increasingly used in modern psychosomatic, oncological, and rehabilitative medicine. While the exact mechanisms of art therapy remain somewhat mysterious, emerging research suggests that active, engaged participation in the creative process – a concept known as 'Inner Correspondence' – can contribute to improved symptom management and overall well-being.

A recent study delved into this phenomenon, focusing on breast cancer survivors experiencing cancer-related fatigue. The research team developed a specific patient-reported outcome measure to assess 'Inner Correspondence' during painting therapy and conducted a thorough validation study to determine its reliability and effectiveness.

This article will explore the study's findings, explaining how this new tool is helping researchers and practitioners understand the profound impact of art on the lives of breast cancer patients. We'll uncover how painting therapy fosters relaxation, improves mood, and empowers individuals to connect with their inner selves, providing a valuable approach to integrative cancer care.

Decoding 'Inner Correspondence': The Science Behind the Soothing Brushstroke

Woman with paint stroke hair in a flower field, symbolizing healing through art.

The study involved 68 breast cancer patients (average age 58.2 years) who participated in a preliminary validation study. Researchers used a 24-item questionnaire to measure 'Inner Correspondence' following a 10-week art therapy intervention, as well as concurrent scales to assess related factors like peaceful harmony, cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, depression, and internal coherence. Statistical analysis then revealed a robust 22-item scale with a clear four-factor structure that accounted for 78% of the total variance.

What does this mean in plain language? The research identified four key areas where painting seems to make a real difference:

  • Therapy Congruence and Relaxation: This factor, encompassing 11 items, reflects how well the therapy aligns with the patient's needs and promotes relaxation.
  • Inner Development and Mood: Made up of 6 items, this highlights improvements in inner growth and emotional state.
  • Artistic Skill: This smaller factor (3 items) acknowledges the development – or simply the recognition – of artistic abilities.
  • Task Congruence: The 2 items in this factor reflect a sense of harmony and engagement with the painting tasks themselves.
Importantly, the study found that the 22-item scale (called the ICPTh) demonstrated high reliability, meaning it consistently measures what it's intended to measure. This suggests that 'Inner Correspondence' can be quantified and reliably assessed.

Painting Your Path to Healing: Key Takeaways and Future Directions

This research provides compelling evidence that painting therapy, when approached with mindfulness and intention, can be a powerful tool for improving the lives of breast cancer patients. By fostering relaxation, promoting inner development, and tapping into creative potential, painting offers a unique pathway to enhanced well-being during a challenging time.

While this study offers valuable insights, the researchers emphasize that further investigation is needed. Future studies with larger and more diverse groups of patients, including control groups, will help to solidify these findings and explore the full potential of 'Inner Correspondence' as a therapeutic concept.

Ultimately, understanding how art can heal and empower individuals is a critical step towards developing more holistic and patient-centered approaches to cancer care. Painting might be more than just a hobby; it could be a vital component of a comprehensive healing journey.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.12.002, Alternate LINK

Title: Reliability And First Validity Of The Inner Correspondence Questionnaire For Painting Therapy (Icpth) In A Sample Of Breast Cancer Patients

Subject: Advanced and Specialized Nursing

Journal: Complementary Therapies in Medicine

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: M. Kröz, A. Mehl, A. Didwiszus, B. Gelin-Kröz, M. Reif, B. Berger, F. Ten Brink, R. Zerm, M. Girke, C. Gutenbrunner, A. Büssing

Published: 2019-02-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

How does painting therapy, especially the focus on 'Inner Correspondence,' benefit breast cancer patients?

Painting therapy, specifically an approach that emphasizes 'Inner Correspondence', appears to significantly enhance well-being. It offers relaxation, helps in processing emotions, and can improve the overall quality of life for individuals undergoing cancer treatment.

2

How was 'Inner Correspondence' measured in the study with breast cancer patients?

The study used a 24-item questionnaire to measure 'Inner Correspondence'. Following a 10-week art therapy intervention, the questionnaire assessed related factors like peaceful harmony, cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, depression, and internal coherence. This was refined to a robust 22-item scale.

3

According to the research, what are the four key areas where painting seems to make a real difference in cancer patient well-being?

The four key areas are: 'Therapy Congruence and Relaxation', which assesses how well the therapy fits a patient's needs and induces relaxation; 'Inner Development and Mood', focusing on improvements in inner growth and emotional state; 'Artistic Skill', acknowledging the development of artistic abilities; and 'Task Congruence', reflecting engagement with painting tasks. The relative importance of each area can depend on the individual patient.

4

What does it mean that the 'Inner Correspondence' scale (ICPTh) demonstrated high reliability?

The 22-item scale, called the ICPTh, demonstrated high reliability. This means it consistently measures what it is designed to measure. This suggests that 'Inner Correspondence' is not just a feeling but something that can be quantified and reliably assessed. This is a critical step in establishing art therapy as an evidence-based practice.

5

What are the key takeaways from the research, and what are the potential future directions for painting therapy and 'Inner Correspondence' in cancer care?

By incorporating mindfulness and intention, painting therapy can significantly improve the lives of breast cancer patients. 'Inner Correspondence' fosters relaxation, promotes inner development, and uses creative potential, offering a unique route to improved well-being during a challenging time. More research could explore different artistic mediums and individualized approaches to maximize these benefits.

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