This work is the first art therapy intervention study in Korea on pediatric cancer patients undergoing
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in a protective isolation unit. The purpose of this study is to
demonstrate the potential of the art therapy application in the protective isolation unit provided by the
trained therapist trained for both patients’ psychological conditions and the specific medical environment. As
part of the study, the art therapist encouraged the artistic expressions of pediatric patients by drawing
images on the window located in the isolation room. The subjects of this study were four pediatric cancer
patients undergoing HSCT at one of the university hospitals in Seoul, with an average age of 12 years. The
data was collected from July 2014 to August 2015 with an average of 7.5 sessions per patient. The activities
and the psychological, social, and spiritual changes of the patients from each session were qualitatively
analyzed. The patients were able to acquire activeness through indirectly expressing their inner desires via
drawing activities with the trusted art therapist. These therapeutic interventions helped the pediatric patients
to alleviate psychological distress, enhance adherence to treatment, and endure stress in the isolated medical
environment as well as encouraged them with hope. Therefore, this study presents the necessity and
potential impact of art therapy intervention for isolated pediatric cancer patients undergoing HSCT.