Examining Changes in HRV and Emotion Following Artmaking with Three Different Art Materials

Summary

The goal of the protocol is to guide researchers in conducting experiments that are intended to measure changes in self-reported emotional response and heart rate variability following art making with different materials. The protocol can easily be adapted for use in a variety of behavioral conditions and activities.

Abstract

This protocol enables the examination of psychological and physiological responses to different types of behavioral engagements. Specifically, in this study example, the emotional response and changes in heart rate variability are examined in response to artmaking with three different art materials that vary in their levels of fluidity. This protocol can be adapted to examine other types of behavior or engagement in artmaking with other materials. There are several benefits to using this protocol. Firstly, the order randomization of the materials improves the probability that the response measured is associated with its qualities and not the order of presentation. Secondly, the continuous measuring of electrocardiogram enables the examination of changes in heart rate variability after engagement with each art material and changes that might occur during the artmaking itself. The advantages of this protocol should be considered with their limitations. The music listening is before each art making session; thus, the return to baseline can only be measured in the first two conditions. The return to baseline provides information on how fast individuals recover after response to working with each of the materials. Furthermore, a more liquid material instead of gouache paint with a brush, such as finger paints, provides more difference between materials. Finally, this protocol can be adapted to specific research needs.

Introduction

The purpose of this protocol is to examine the physiological and emotional response to artmaking in different conditions. In this case, the difference in response to art making with three different art materials varying in levels of fluidity is examined. The rationale behind the development of this experiment is to provide support for theories of art therapy claiming that artmaking with more fluid art materials is related to enhancing emotional expression¹. Heart rate variability (HRV) in general, and respiratory sinus arrythmia (RSA) specifically, is indicative of emotional engagement and regulation^2,

Protocol

This study was conducted with the approval of the Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences at the University of Haifa, ethics committee. Informed consent was obtained, and research was performed in compliance with Helsinki guidelines for human welfare.

NOTE: The research is conducted at a table, using art materials and a portable, wireless and non-invasive electrocardiogram (ECG) recording device.

1. Participant selection

1. Recruit healthy participants between the ages of 18 and 40. For a wider range of ages, a division to sub-groups is recommended due to age related changes in heart rate variabi....

Results

As mentioned above, the CMetX software provides several matrices of HRV. Here, the RSA measure, was calculated for each participant per each experimental condition. Figure 5 depicts mean RSA values (±SE) for the three artmaking tasks and their preceding resting periods. A within subjects ANOVA revealed a statistically significant main effect for artmaking (F^(1,49) = 26.155, p < .001), with a large effect size (η_p² = .348), which can be in.......

Discussion

This protocol is designed to measure differences in RSA during artmaking with art materials varying in their levels of fluidity⁷. The biopatch^9,10 is a small round physiological monitoring telemetry device that attaches to a holster that connects to two Ag-AgCl disposable electrodes and enables the collection of physiological data, including basic ECG. The device stores and transmits vital sign data including ECG, heart rate, respiration r.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Disposable Ag/AgCl electrodes	Biopac	EL501
Drawing paper	Stenoplast
Echo gateway	Medtronic	9600.0303
Eraser	Factis
Gouache paint	Giotto
HB pencil	Milan
Omnisense 3.9.7	Medtronic	9700.0269	Computer software
Oil pastels 12 colors	Talens
Zephyr biopatch	Medtronic	9600.041