ABSTRACT
Creative activities are a crucial method of intervention in occupational therapy and are commonly applied to inspire creative thinking and problem-solving abilities in patients. Various activities such as art, theater, dancing, and music can be adopted as creative exercises. Such activities exert a wide range of positive effects such as improving patients’ motivation, learning outcomes, self-appraisal, and self-expression. Although creative activities are considered a type of therapy, the application of such activities in Taiwan’s community rehabilitation centers remains limited. In this study, a method for preparing handmade soap was developed based on the selection of this activity by a group of patients. The preparation activity was implemented over a 6-week period and a satisfaction survey was conducted after completion of the activity to determine the activity outcomes. The results revealed that with respect to activity benefits, activity content, creativity exerted during the activity, hope for the future, and interpersonal interaction, at least 80% of the patients were extremely satisfied, suggesting that handmade soap preparation is not only a cultural and creative activity but also an effective measure for improving the therapeutic outcomes of patients in community rehabilitation centers.
