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Frontiers in Psychology 2021Art therapy, as a non-pharmacological medical complementary and alternative therapy, has been used as one of medical interventions with good clinical effects on mental... (Review)
Review
Art therapy, as a non-pharmacological medical complementary and alternative therapy, has been used as one of medical interventions with good clinical effects on mental disorders. However, systematically reviewed in detail in clinical situations is lacking. Here, we searched on PubMed for art therapy in an attempt to explore its theoretical basis, clinical applications, and future perspectives to summary its global pictures. Since drawings and paintings have been historically recognized as a useful part of therapeutic processes in art therapy, we focused on studies of art therapy which mainly includes painting and drawing as media. As a result, a total of 413 literature were identified. After carefully reading full articles, we found that art therapy has been gradually and successfully used for patients with mental disorders with positive outcomes, mainly reducing suffering from mental symptoms. These disorders mainly include depression disorders and anxiety, cognitive impairment and dementias, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and autism. These findings suggest that art therapy can not only be served as an useful therapeutic method to assist patients to open up and share their feelings, views, and experiences, but also as an auxiliary treatment for diagnosing diseases to help medical specialists obtain complementary information different from conventional tests. We humbly believe that art therapy has great potential in clinical applications on mental disorders to be further explored.
PubMed: 34456801
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.686005 -
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 -
Parkinsonism & Related Disorders Mar 2021To explore the potential rehabilitative effect of art therapy and its underlying mechanisms in Parkinson's disease (PD). (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial Observational Study
OBJECTIVE
To explore the potential rehabilitative effect of art therapy and its underlying mechanisms in Parkinson's disease (PD).
METHODS
Observational study of eighteen patients with PD, followed in a prospective, open-label, exploratory trial. Before and after twenty sessions of art therapy, PD patients were assessed with the UPDRS, Pegboard Test, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale and PROMIS-Self-Efficacy, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT), Benton Visual Recognition Test (BVRT), Navon Test, Visual Search, and Stop Signal Task. Eye movements were recorded during the BVRT. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) was also performed to assess functional connectivity (FC) changes within the dorsal attention (DAN), executive control (ECN), fronto-occipital (FOC), salience (SAL), primary and secondary visual (V1, V2) brain networks. We also tested fourteen age-matched healthy controls at baseline.
RESULTS
At baseline, PD patients showed abnormal visual-cognitive functions and eye movements. Analyses of rs-fMRI showed increased functional connectivity within DAN and ECN in patients compared to controls. Following art therapy, performance improved on Navon test, eye tracking, and UPDRS scores. Rs-fMRI analysis revealed significantly increased FC levels in brain regions within V1 and V2 networks.
INTERPRETATION
Art therapy improves overall visual-cognitive skills and visual exploration strategies as well as general motor function in patients with PD. The changes in brain connectivity highlight a functional reorganization of visual networks.
Topics: Aged; Art Therapy; Cognitive Dysfunction; Connectome; Eye-Tracking Technology; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Net; Neurological Rehabilitation; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Parkinson Disease
PubMed: 33526323
DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2021.01.013 -
The Lancet. Psychiatry May 2022
Topics: Art Therapy; Humans
PubMed: 35430002
DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00117-1 -
Experimental Biology and Medicine... Jan 2020Mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) combines mindfulness practices with art therapy to promote health, wellness, and adaptive responses to stress. Mindfulness-based... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) combines mindfulness practices with art therapy to promote health, wellness, and adaptive responses to stress. Mindfulness-based stress reduction programs have been demonstrated to reduce anxiety symptoms in people with generalized anxiety disorder and serious medical conditions such as cancer. However, the benefits of MBAT specifically—not just in clinical anxiety disorders, but also for routine day-to-day anxiousness—have received little attention until recently. In this mini-review, we summarize how several established mindfulness-based interventions affect mental health with a specific focus on MBAT. We also describe and evaluate data indicating involvement of specific neural circuits and neuroendocrine markers of stress and/or anxiety. Lastly, we suggest areas of focus for future rigorous research on MBAT interventions and propose multiple biobehavioral and physiological mechanisms through which therapeutic benefits may be achieved.
IMPACT STATEMENT
Recent studies demonstrate the therapeutic potential of intensive MBAT and other mindfulness-based interventions for severe health conditions including cancer, heart disease, and anxiety, with effectiveness that rivals and sometimes even exceeds cognitive behavior therapy. MBAT-based approaches appear to be poised to mature into large-scale, cost-effective therapies for mental health disorders and symptoms comorbid with other serious health issues. However, the field currently suffers from inconsistent deployment protocols and needs additional validation data—at the behavioral, neuroendocrine, and neural levels—in order to establish best practices.
Topics: Anxiety; Art Therapy; Behavior; Humans; Mental Health; Mindfulness; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 31635490
DOI: 10.1177/1535370219883634 -
Cureus Aug 2022Art therapy is used most commonly to treat mental illnesses and can aid in controlling manifestations correlated with psychosocially challenging behaviours, slowing... (Review)
Review
Art therapy is used most commonly to treat mental illnesses and can aid in controlling manifestations correlated with psychosocially challenging behaviours, slowing cognitive decline, and enhancing the quality of life. Art therapy can help people express themselves more freely, improve their mental health, and improve interpersonal relationships. The basis of art therapy is established on the idea that people can recover and feel better via artistic expression. This review examines the current research on how active participation in the arts might improve mental health. A detailed literature search was carried out utilizing essential databases such as PubMed, the WHO's mental health database, and Google and Google Scholar. This review study looks into research done on art therapy and its potential advantages for adult mental health rehabilitation. It focuses on visual art therapy since it's a key to reducing variation within the "creative arts" and defines the peculiar elements and effectiveness of art therapy used by mental health services. It was found that the use of art therapy as an adjunct treatment showed improved mental health in patients.
PubMed: 36134083
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28026 -
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 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2021Dementia is a general term for a series of medical conditions that affect the brain and evolve progressively. According to the literature, there are over 200 subtypes... (Review)
Review
Dementia is a general term for a series of medical conditions that affect the brain and evolve progressively. According to the literature, there are over 200 subtypes and causes of dementia, with Alzheimer's disease (AD) being the most common in elderly people. AD is an irreversible progressive neurodegenerative condition that leads to a decline in mental function, enough to disrupt daily life. Thinking skills slowly deteriorate, which, in advanced stages, makes it impossible to perform simple tasks. Besides the change in the quality of life of AD patients and their families, there is a considerable alteration in the quality of life of their caregivers, whose health can be negatively affected by the development of mental and somatic disorders. This article reviews the literature in order to reveal the benefits of applying non-pharmacological interventions such as music and art therapy to improve quality of life. This article also aims to shed light on the impact of this disease on the caregiver's life. Music and art therapy have produced reliable results in the treatment of patients with AD, and the best effects are related to increased socialization and the maintenance of social status.
PubMed: 34207703
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9060698 -
Noro Psikiyatri Arsivi 2021Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are chronic conditions with the early onset, higher relapse rate, and functional impairment that often persist despite optimum... (Review)
Review
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are chronic conditions with the early onset, higher relapse rate, and functional impairment that often persist despite optimum pharmacotherapy, underscoring the need for adjunctive psychosocial treatments and rehabilitation interventions. Evidence-based psychosocial treatment and rehabilitation interventions for both illnesses are adherence therapy, psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, cognitive remediation, social skills training, family education, vocational rehabilitation, case management, assertive community treatment, occupational/art therapy, and peer support. The efficacy of these interventions has been shown in many studies. Trials generally reveal that symptom reductions, relapse preventions, reduced hospitalizations, increased social functioning, increased employment rate, and satisfactory quality of life for patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are possible by using these interventions adding to optimal pharmacotherapy. This review describes the psychosocial rehabilitation interventions that have been used successfully and extensively in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
PubMed: 34658639
DOI: 10.29399/npa.27430 -
Developmental Medicine and Child... Feb 2023Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurogenetic disorder caused by mutations of the MECP2 (methyl-CpG-binding protein 2) gene. Over two decades of work established MeCP2... (Review)
Review
Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurogenetic disorder caused by mutations of the MECP2 (methyl-CpG-binding protein 2) gene. Over two decades of work established MeCP2 as a protein with pivotal roles in the regulation of the epigenome, neuronal physiology, synaptic maintenance, and behaviour. Given the genetic aetiology of RTT and the proof of concept of its reversal in a mouse model, considerable efforts have been made to design therapeutic approaches to re-express MeCP2. By being at the forefront of the development of innovative gene therapies, research on RTT is of paramount importance for the treatment of monogenic neurological diseases. Here we discuss the recent advances and challenges of promising genetic strategies for the treatment of RTT including gene replacement therapies, gene/RNA editing strategies, and reactivation of the silenced X chromosome. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Recent advances shed light on the promises of gene replacement therapy with new vectors designed to control the levels of MeCP2 expression. New developments in DNA/RNA editing approaches or reactivation of the silenced X chromosome open the possibility to re-express the native MeCP2 locus at endogenous levels. Current strategies still face limitations in transduction efficiency and future work is needed to improve brain delivery.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Humans; Rett Syndrome; Art Therapy; Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2; Brain; Mutation; Neurons
PubMed: 36056801
DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15383