Progress Report
Protecting children's intellectual curiosity and individuality to realize a dynamic society[2] Visualizing the Effects of Art Intervention
Progress until FY2024
1. Outline of the project
The aim of this study is to establish objective endocrine and psychophysiological indicators that capture the improvement in mental well-being and social curiosity resulting from artistic activities, with the goal of providing art activities that allow children and adolescents with challenges in social skills and characteristics associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to enhance their sociability while feeling at ease.
- Prepare the field for conducting face-to-face/remote Art Workshop Sessions (AWS) targeting children and begin collecting data on hormonal fluctuations in saliva.
- Develop a wearable small-scale electrocardiogram measurement system.
- Develop a face-to-face detection app and a motion visualization system.
- Initiate heart rate measurement in face-to-face AWS sessions targeting adults and accelerometer measurement using the face-to-face app, and evaluate the implementation protocol.
- Conduct a questionnaire survey on art activities and enhance the content.
2. Outcome so far
<Art Workshops>
By the end of FY2022, it had become evident that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit greater changes in salivary oxytocin and cortisol levels when participating in both in-person and remote art workshops (AWS), compared to typically developing peers. Data collection on salivary oxytocin and cortisol concentrations during AWS for children with ASD continued through FY2024. Results suggested that remote AWS sessions conducted in small groups (four or fewer participants) were more likely to reduce stress and enhance satisfaction among children with ASD. These findings imply that small-group, interaction-rich environments may promote increased endogenous oxytocin secretion through collaborative art-making.
Additionally, two types of in-person AWS using digital music content (Desktop Music) were implemented: individual and collaborative creative sessions.
In both formats, pre- and post-session responses on the Visual Analog Scale indicated increased feelings of happiness and relaxation following participation. Notably, in individual sessions—where participants engaged more deeply and interacted frequently with facilitators—a significant increase in salivary oxytocin was observed. These findings were compiled and published as a peer-reviewed article (Sugiyama et al., Frontiers in Psychology, 2025).
Across various AWS formats, it was also found that in small-group sessions among close friends (elementary school age), a correlation emerged between salivary oxytocin and cortisol levels. The observed co-fluctuation of oxytocin and cortisol during the activity—and the disappearance of such synchrony immediately afterward—suggests that this hormonal interplay reflects a temporary synchrony during goal-oriented collaborative engagement.
<Face-to-Face Detection App>
We developed a smartwatch-compatible version of the face-to-face detection app, which enables the simultaneous collection of communication data and heart rate information.
<ECG Measurement Device>
To make the system more suitable for children and privacy-conscious environments, we modified both the hardware and software components of the ECG measurement system. The updated device was mass-produced via outsourcing and repeatedly tested in elementary schools and art activity settings for real-world applicability.
3. Future plans
In the future, we aim to propose approaches for fostering environments that nurture emotional well-being and curiosity by emphasizing the importance of shared experiences, the design of engaging content, and effective facilitation methods. We plan to offer regular community-based art workshops that are easily accessible to all participants. By continuously providing activities that are simple and inclusive, we will examine the relationship between psychological-behavioral indicators—such as anxiety, depressive tendencies, quality of life (QOL), interpersonal communication, and sense of satisfaction—and physiological markers. Through repeated participation, we will explore whether medium- to long-term changes in emotional state and social functioning can be objectively captured.