Art Therapy and Its Effect on Non-Motor Function Rehabilitation in the Subacute Phase of Stroke Recovery

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Study Participants: Stroke patients aged 40-75. Patients in this age group generallyhave a higher incidence of stroke and show relatively higher plasticity during therehabilitation process.

2. Type of Stroke: First occurrence of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, confirmed byimaging (CT or MRI). This helps to ensure consistency in the type of stroke amongparticipants, reducing rehabilitation differences caused by varying stroke types.

3. Time Since Stroke Onset: Between 2 weeks and 3 months post-stroke (broadly definedsubacute phase). During this phase, patients have usually transitioned out of theacute treatment phase and exhibit significant plasticity in physical andpsychological recovery, making it a critical period for rehabilitation.

4. Severity of Stroke Sequelae: Stroke sequelae should be mild to moderate (ModifiedRankin Scale score of 2 to 3). These patients have some level of independentmobility but still require rehabilitation training to further improve function.

5. Cognitive Ability: Participants must have basic cognitive function and be able tounderstand and comply with research requirements. This ensures that patients caneffectively participate in art therapy and accurately report subjective experiences.

6. Emotional Status: Participants' levels of depression, anxiety, or stress should bemild to moderate at the start of the study. Patients with severe psychologicaldisorders may require more intensive psychological support, which falls outside thescope of this study.

7. Language and Communication Skills: Participants must possess basic languageexpression and comprehension abilities to engage in and understand interactionsduring art therapy sessions. This ensures effective communication with thetherapist.

8. Physical Condition: Participants must have the basic physical functions necessary toparticipate in art therapy, such as the ability to perform simple limb movements andactivities. Severe physical disabilities may prevent participation in artactivities.

9. Living Environment: Participants should reside in an area that allows them toregularly travel to the treatment site and have a relatively stable livingenvironment. This helps ensure that patients can attend each therapy session on timeand complete the entire intervention cycle.

10. Consent to Participate: Both the patient and their family members must fullyunderstand the purpose, process, and potential risks of the study and be willing tosign an informed consent form. This ensures that patients fully comprehend theirresponsibilities and rights when participating in the study.

11. No Prior Psychological or Art Therapy: Participants must not have received any formof psychological therapy, art therapy, or similar rehabilitation intervention in thepast 6 months to exclude the impact of other interventions on the study results.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe Mental Illness: A history or current diagnosis of severe mental disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) or a current severe level of depression,anxiety, or stress. These mental health issues may require specialized psychologicaltreatment, which is not aligned with the intervention objectives of this study.

2. Severe Comorbidities: Patients with serious physical illnesses, such as advancedcancer, severe heart disease (e.g., heart failure, acute coronary syndrome), chronicrenal failure, or severe chronic respiratory diseases. These conditions may severelyaffect the patient's ability to participate and the rehabilitation outcomes.

3. Severe Sensory Impairments: Patients with serious sensory impairments, such asblindness, profound hearing loss, or uncorrectable sensory deficits. Theseimpairments may prevent effective participation in art therapy, especially inactivities requiring visual or auditory engagement (such as painting or musictherapy).

4. Severe Language Impairments: Patients with severe aphasia or speech communicationdisorders that impede effective communication or expression. This would affect thepatient's ability to participate in and understand the therapy process.

5. Substance Dependence or Abuse History: Patients with a current history of substancedependence or abuse (including alcohol and illicit drugs). Such conditions maysignificantly impact cognitive and behavioral functions, potentially interferingwith the study's intervention effects.

6. Allergies or Physical Discomfort: Patients with severe allergic reactions tomaterials potentially used in art therapy (e.g., paint, clay, musical instruments)or a history of physical discomfort caused by similar materials.

7. Lack of Willingness to Participate: Patients or their family members showinsufficient willingness to participate in the study or are unable to providewritten informed consent. This may lead to premature withdrawal, affecting thestudy's integrity and result analysis.

8. Other Potential Influencing Factors: Any other factors not listed but considered byresearchers to potentially affect patient participation or study outcomes. Forexample, significant life events (e.g., bereavement, divorce), which may have aconsiderable impact on the patient's psychological state.