This study aimed to evaluate the effects of art-play therapy and story therapy on the challenges faced by children with cancer hospitalized in a medical setting. The study was designed as a semi-experimental study, utilizing pre-test and post-test assessments with a control group. The target population consisted of children with cancer currently receiving care at a children's hospital. A purposive sampling method was used to select the participants, who were then randomly assigned to one of three groups. The experimental groups participated in 12 sessions of story therapy, art-play therapy, or a combination of both. The results showed that both art-play therapy and story therapy positively influenced the issues faced by hospitalized pediatric cancer patients. The findings suggest that these therapeutic interventions, which help release repressed negative emotions and reduce rumination, can significantly alleviate the challenges experienced by these children. Therefore, it is recommended that story therapy, art-play therapy, and their integration be incorporated into therapeutic practices in hospitals, counseling centers, and other healthcare environments to support children battling cancer.
