Coloring Books to Relieve Anxiety in Adult Emergency Department Patients

Many patients might benefit from novel nonpharmacologic options to relieve anxiety in the emergency department (ED). To assess the utility of coloring in relieving anxiety, researchers randomized patients at an Australian ED to receive either a 10-picture coloring book for adults and 36 colored pencils, or a blank notepad and pen. Anxiety was measured with the validated 21-point Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Inclusion criteria were a baseline HADS score ≥7, age ≥16 years, no history of violence, and normal mental status.

Of 179 screened patients, 53 (average age, 33; 74% women) met inclusion criteria and agreed to participate. Mean HADS scores decreased from 13.1 at baseline to 9.3 at 2 hours in the intervention group, and fr…