Zentangle Foundation: Research

In the past years, art-based therapies have been growing in popularity to address these unmet needs. An important aspect of these therapies that has been gaining traction is mindfulness, the concept of staying present and grounded in the moment and paying particular attention to one’s activities and feelings. The Zentangle Method has been identified as a form of mindfulness-based art intervention in which people are able to channel creativity through drawing simple, easy to learn, repetitive patterns. The method fosters the creation of a non-judgmental environment in which people can overcome the fear of mistakes, improve self-image, and foster a sense of pride in one’s unique creation. People with serious mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder, often struggle with feelings of helplessness, low self-esteem, and the ability to express themselves. These individuals, often treated with medication, are still left with unmet needs regarding psychological well-being, such as emotional expressiveness, regulation skills and confidence. In 2021, The Zentangle Foundation partnered with UMass MIND, a clinical and research program dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with SMI, to investigate the Zentangle Method as an adjunctive treatment for SMI. The 14-week study included an 8-week Zentangle program conducted in a group format over Zoom, led by Certified Zentangle Teachers. Participants met once a week for a 90-minute session. These sessions focused on the fundamental principles of the Zentangle Method, and with each successive session, participants were encouraged to explore new designs incorporating the skills they learned in past sessions. The study measured the psychiatric symptoms, mindfulness, and quality of life of the study participants. Participants were found to have had a significant decrease in the severity psychiatric symptoms and an increase in levels of mindfulness after the intervention. Participants expressed satisfaction with the Zentangle Method and continued use of the Zentangle Method after the intervention as means of a creative outlet. The study findings were presented at the American Psychiatric Association annual meeting in 2022 and are currently under review for publication. With the success of this pilot study, UMass MIND and The Zentangle Foundation hope to further pursue research looking into the effectiveness of the Zentangle Method as a mindful-based art intervention for the SMI population. The study is published in the open journal, Frontiers.  Click here to read the published results. When Rick and Maria first began teaching the Zentangle Method, they had no inklings of  the "side effects" practicing the Zentangle Method would have. It was from the people that called and sent emails that they began to realize the profound effects the method was having. There have been some formal studies conducted regarding the benefits of the Zentangle Method prior to the founding of the Zentangle Foundation, links can be found here. --- + ---   Giving Tuesday is a national day devoted to charitable giving. We are asking for your help in growing the seed that Judy planted so that we can continue to support new certified teachers, organizations that see the benefits of sharing the method, and research to quantify what we experience when we tangle.   We know that there are many organizations deserving of your support at this time of year. As you consider your year-end giving, we hope you’ll remember the impact that the Zentangle Method has had on your life and consider making a donation in honor of Giving Tuesday. You can learn more about how to donate at zentanglefoundation.org. Giving Tuesday 2024 is December 2, 2024.