Mending Broken Hearts: Transdisciplinary Approaches from Art, Medicine, and Cultural Studies

This project aims to advance the understanding and treatment of psychosomatic heart diseases through a transdisciplinary approach integrating medical science, cultural studies, and the arts. Led by Lomi (East Asian Medical Humanities) and Biglino (Biomedical Engineering), the study focuses on Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TCM), or "broken heart syndrome." Drawing on findings from a 2018 pilot workshop, which revealed unmet psychological and emotional needs among patients, the project will utilise Japanese cultural metaphors (kintsugi, takotsubo), participatory artistic practices, and immersive digital tools, to create innovative models for patient care and clinician education. Context TCM is triggered by emotional or physical stress, mimicking a heart attack and causing a temporary reversible dysfunction, where the heart takes an apical ballooning shape (narrow neck and round bottom). The term takotsubo (lit. "octopus jar", referring to a Japanese vase traditionally used to trap octopuses) was purportedly chosen due to the resemblance between the vase’s shape and the heart’s shape during the syndrome. The condition accounts for 3% of acute coronary syndrome presentations and is highly prevalent in women (90% of TCM diagnoses), particularly post-menopause. Natural history, management, and outcomes are still incompletely understood. The Challenge Patients with TCM are reported to experience emotional reactions, seeking to understand the root causes of such a dramatic clinical event. The pilot workshop led by Biglino engaged eight female patients in creative activities, revealing unmet needs for psychosocial support, alternative treatments, and patient-centred resources. The workshop underscored the importance of addressing cultural, emotional, and gender-specific dimensions, thus inspiring this project’s broadened art-based approach. Aims and Objectives The project has three core aims: Term Repositioning and Gender Sensitivities: examining the term takotsubo and its cultural meanings, particularly its gendered connotations. Lomi’s research investigates the meaning of takotsubo in relation to the female reproductive system, as the term is commonly used in Japanese art and literature to refer, in a derogatory way, to the uterus and vagina. A critical genealogy of this term, in relation to the western notion of hysteria, will illuminate cultural and cross-cultural perceptions of female physiology and shape therapeutic understandings. Patient Involvement: enhancing patient experience is central to the project. Our team includes five artists who will use storytelling, ceramics, 3D modelling and VR, to help patients explore different ways of representing and making sense of hearts affected by TCM, stimulating them to engage with their condition in individually-meaningful ways. Developing New Learning Tools: insights from this case study will inform interdisciplinary educational resources for clinicians, integrating medical and cultural perspectives. Developed in collaboration with Cardiomyopathy UK (CUK) and the National Centre for Creative Health (NCCH), these resources aim to foster a holistic approach to patient care. Potential Applications and Benefits By addressing gaps in current healthcare practices, the project not only enhances patient engagement but also contributes to broader discussions on culturally informed medical care and the integration of humanities in health research. The outcomes of the project will provide a basis from which to inform future practice, adaptable to other forms of heart disease.