Exploring the Sandplayer’s Brain

A Single Case Study

Abstract

The authors have been attempting to explore the brain mechanisms involved in sandplay therapy using NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy) in a simulated sandplay session (sandtray making). Results from one sandplayer are presented as a single case study. The changes of NIRS signals as well as their relationships with the video behavioral data and the post-session interview data were closely examined. It was suggested that sandplay triggered the dynamic coupling of the prefrontal and temporal regions, thus enabling retrieval of memories and reconstructing them with an optimal amount of cognitive control. The study also suggested that sandplay might not be a predominantly “right brain task” but it involves both the left and the right hemispheres. This study may have opened a new research perspective of using NIRS to explore brain functions underlying sandplay therapy. Further studies are needed to obtain solid and consistent results accounting for the complex processes of sandplay therapy.