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Psychiatry Research May 2019Creative art therapy (CAT) for severe mental illness (SMI) represents an extremely heterogenous body of literature that encompasses the use of a large variety of... (Review)
Review
Creative art therapy (CAT) for severe mental illness (SMI) represents an extremely heterogenous body of literature that encompasses the use of a large variety of creative mediums (i.e. visual art, music, dance, drama, writing) in the treatment of mental disorders. The present review provides a narrative summary of the findings on the use of CAT for the selected SMI, being: schizophrenia, trauma-related disorders, major depression, and bipolar disorder. A database search of PubMed and the Cochrane Library was conducted related to the use of CAT in the treatment of mental disorders published between January 2008 and March 2019. A total of 9697 citations were identified to match the search criteria and 86 full-texts were reviewed. Although literature suggests CAT to be a potentially low-risk and high benefit intervention to minimize symptoms and maximize functioning in individuals living with SMI, the lack of methodological rigor, and inconsistency in study methods and outcome measures have prevented the advancement of CAT for use in SMI. Although creation of a single CAT regimen for all psychiatric disorders stands neither practical nor advisable, greater standardization of methods would improve evaluation of CAT interventions. Future research should elucidate biological mechanisms underlying CAT methods.
Topics: Art Therapy; Bipolar Disorder; Female; Humans; Male; Schizophrenia
PubMed: 30901671
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.03.025 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2018Art therapy is defined by the British Association of Art Therapists as: "a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of communication. Clients who... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Art therapy is defined by the British Association of Art Therapists as: "a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of communication. Clients who are referred to an art therapist need not have experience or skill in art. The art therapist is not primarily concerned with making an aesthetic or diagnostic assessment of the client's image. The overall aim of its practitioners is to enable a client to change and grow on a personal level through the use of art materials in a safe and facilitating environment". Historically, drawings and paintings have been recognised as a useful part of therapeutic processes within psychiatric and psychological specialties, and this has been acknowledged within medical and neurology-based disciplines.Arts-based therapies are generally considered as interventions managing manifestations of dementia, as they may help to slow cognitive deterioration, address symptoms related to psychosocially challenging behaviours and improve quality of life.
OBJECTIVES
To review the effects of art therapy as an adjunctive treatment for dementia compared with standard care and other non-pharmacological interventions.
SEARCH METHODS
We identified trials from ALOIS - the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's Specialised Register - on 12 May 2014, 20 March 2015, 15 January 2016, 4 November 2016, and 4 October 2017. We also handsearched the grey literature and contacted specialists in the field and authors of relevant reviews or studies to enquire about other sources of relevant information.
SELECTION CRITERIA
All randomised controlled trials examining art therapy as an intervention for dementia.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently extracted data. We examined scales measuring cognition, affect and emotional well-being, social functioning, behaviour and quality of life.
MAIN RESULTS
We found two studies that met the inclusion criteria, incorporating data on a total of 60 participants (from 88 randomised), in experimental groups (n = 29) and active control groups (n = 31). One study compared group art therapy with simple calculation activities over 12 weeks. The other study compared group art therapy with recreational activities over 40 weeks. It was not possible to pool the data for analysis from the included studies, due to heterogeneity in terms of differences in the interventions, control treatments and choice of outcome measures.In both studies there were no clear changes reported between the intervention group and the control group in the important outcome measures. According to GRADE ratings, we judged the quality of evidence for these outcome measures to be 'very low'.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is insufficient evidence about the efficacy of art therapy for people with dementia. More adequately-powered and high-quality studies using relevant outcome measures are needed.
Topics: Art Therapy; Dementia; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recreation Therapy
PubMed: 30215847
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011073.pub2 -
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease : JAD 2014Patients with dementias commonly experience neuropsychiatric symptoms that diminish their quality of life. Pharmacologic treatments for these symptoms are limited in... (Review)
Review
Patients with dementias commonly experience neuropsychiatric symptoms that diminish their quality of life. Pharmacologic treatments for these symptoms are limited in their efficacy. In the absence of near-future prospects for a cure for degenerative dementias, treatments that improve neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life are needed. We explore the hypothesis that art therapy is useful in dementia by reviewing the extant literature. With appropriate structure, patients with dementia can produce and appreciate visual art. Case studies and several small trials suggest that art therapy engages attention, provides pleasure, and improves neuropsychiatric symptoms, social behavior, and self-esteem. Whether these benefits generalize beyond the studio remains unknown. We offer a theoretical framework that motivates the use of art therapy and propose that clinical enquiry to establish methods, assess efficacy, and define optimal conditions for the use of art therapy in Alzheimer's and other dementing disorders is timely.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Art Therapy; Attention; Humans; Quality of Life; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 24121964
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-131295 -
The Lancet. Psychiatry May 2022
Topics: Art Therapy; Humans
PubMed: 35430002
DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00117-1 -
Medwave Jan 2017Art therapy is used as a complementary treatment to antipsychotics in schizophrenia. However, its effectiveness is not clear. To answer this question, we searched in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Art therapy is used as a complementary treatment to antipsychotics in schizophrenia. However, its effectiveness is not clear. To answer this question, we searched in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening multiple databases. We identified five systematic reviews including 20 studies overall, of which four were randomized trials. We extracted data and prepared summary of findings tables using the GRADE method. We concluded it is not clear whether art therapy leads to clinical improvement in schizophrenia because the certainty of the evidence is very low.
Topics: Antipsychotic Agents; Art Therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Schizophrenia; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28112711
DOI: 10.5867/medwave.2017.6845 -
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... May 2021While there is increasing evidence for the effectiveness of psychosocial support programs for cancer patients, little attention has been paid to creativity or art as a...
PURPOSE
While there is increasing evidence for the effectiveness of psychosocial support programs for cancer patients, little attention has been paid to creativity or art as a way of addressing their psychological problems and improving quality of life. This review provides an overview of interventional studies that investigate the effects of art therapy interventions on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in adults with cancer.
METHODS
We conducted a literature review with a systematic search. The databases PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE were searched for articles on art therapy among adult (18 years and above) cancer patients, published between September 2009 up to September 2019. Search terms were established for each database specifically. A total of 731 publications was assessed for relevance by title and abstract. The remaining 496 articles were examined using three inclusion criteria: interventions were guided by an artist or art therapist, participants were actively involved in the creative process, and anxiety, depression, and/or quality of life were included as outcome measures. Methodological quality of the included studies was appraised using specific checklists.
RESULTS
Seven papers met the inclusion criteria. Data was extracted from three non-randomized intervention studies and four randomized controlled trials. All studies used a quantitative design with validated outcome measures. Four articles described positive effects of art therapy on anxiety, depression, or quality of life in adults with cancer.
CONCLUSION
Art therapy could possibly help decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve quality of life in adult cancer patients. However, because of the heterogeneity of the interventions and limited methodological quality of the studies, further research using stringent methods is needed.
Topics: Anxiety; Art Therapy; Depression; Humans; Neoplasms; Quality of Life
PubMed: 33188476
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05869-0 -
Soins. Psychiatrie 2020Dance therapy favours self-expression. The body is the focal point for the dance therapist, although accessing the body can be a sensitive matter, involving as it does...
Dance therapy favours self-expression. The body is the focal point for the dance therapist, although accessing the body can be a sensitive matter, involving as it does the patient's intimacy. The professional must be able to decipher body language and take it into account, in order to lead the patient towards possible pathways. Here, perceptions, feelings or emotions are the keys to successful therapy.
Topics: Art Therapy; Dance Therapy; Emotions; Humans; Kinesics; Professional-Patient Relations
PubMed: 32718455
DOI: 10.1016/S0241-6972(20)30037-2 -
Nursing Older People Sep 2008
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Aged; Art Therapy; Career Choice; Caregivers; Cost of Illness; Humans; Lewy Body Disease; Medical Illustration; Nuclear Family
PubMed: 18853545
DOI: No ID Found -
Burns : Journal of the International... Nov 2022Burn injuries are an unexpected traumatic event and can be physically and emotionally devastating for a child and their families. This article presents a conceptual...
Burn injuries are an unexpected traumatic event and can be physically and emotionally devastating for a child and their families. This article presents a conceptual framework for art therapy practice with pediatric burns, founded on the three stages of burn treatment- critical, acute, and rehabilitation. The framework is based on narrative synthesis of research on the psychosocial needs of children with burn injuries, art therapy literature on pediatric burn patients, as well as in medical settings. Based on the stages of burn recovery, and the role of other relevant stakeholders, the framework provides recommendations for clinical practice of art therapy with children sustaining burn injuries, their caregivers and siblings, and healthcare providers. Robust studies including art therapy as interventions are recommended to determine their effectiveness in addressing the specific psychosocial needs in different stages of pediatric burn care.
Topics: Child; Humans; Burns; Art Therapy; Caregivers
PubMed: 34952737
DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2021.10.003 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2005Many people with schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like illnesses continue to experience symptoms in spite of medication. In addition to medication, creative therapies,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Many people with schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like illnesses continue to experience symptoms in spite of medication. In addition to medication, creative therapies, such as art therapy, may be helpful. Art therapy allows exploration of the patient's inner world in a non-threatening way through a therapeutic relationship and the use of art materials. It was mainly developed in adult psychiatric inpatient units and was designed for use with people for whom verbal psychotherapy would be impossible.
OBJECTIVES
To review the effects of art therapy as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia compared with standard care and other psychosocial interventions.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We updated the search of the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register (February 2005), hand searched reference lists and 'Inscape' (the Journal of the British Association of Art Therapists), and contacted relevant authors.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included all randomised controlled trials that compared art therapy with standard care or other psychosocial interventions for schizophrenia.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We reliably selected, quality assessed and extracted data from the studies. We excluded data where more than 50% of participants in any group were lost to follow up. For continuous outcomes we calculated a weighted mean difference and its 95% confidence interval. For binary outcomes we calculated a fixed effects risk ratio (RR), its 95% confidence interval (CI) and a number needed to treat (NNT).
MAIN RESULTS
The search identified 61 reports but only two studies (total n=137) met the inclusion criteria. Both compared art therapy plus standard care with standard care alone. More people completed the therapy if allocated to the art therapy group compared with standard care in the short (n=90, 1 RCT, RR 0.97 CI 0.41 to 2.29), medium (n=47, 1 RCT, RR 0.34 CI 0.15 to 0.80) and long term (n=47, 1 RCT, RR 0.96 CI 0.57 to 1.60). Data from one mental state measure (SANS) showed a small but significant difference favouring the art-therapy group (n=73, 1 RCT, WMD -2.3 CI -4.10 to -0.5). In the short term, a measure of social functioning (SFS) showed no clear difference between groups in endpoint scores (n=70, 1 RCT, WMD 7.20 CI -2.53 to 16.93) and quality of life, as measured by the PerQoL, did not indicate effects of art therapy (n=74, 1 RCT, WMD 0.1 CI -2.7 to 0.47).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Randomised studies are possible in this field. Further evaluation of the use of art therapy for serious mental illnesses is needed as its benefits or harms remain unclear.
Topics: Art Therapy; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Schizophrenia
PubMed: 16235338
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003728.pub2