Introduction
Background
Methods
Systematic literature review
Search strategy and inclusion criteria
Critical appraisal
Data extraction and analysis
Results
Overview of articles
Critical appraisal
Description of the included articles
Bozcuk et al. [25]
De Feudis et al. [26]
Geue et al. [27]
Jalambadani et al. [22]
Jang et al. [23]
Porter et al. [28]
Radl et al. [24]
Findings: effect on outcome measures
Anxiety
Depression
Quality of life
Summary results
Reference | Study design | Participants | Intervention | Outcome measures | Main findings | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Diagnosis | N1 | F:M2 | IG:CG3 | Methods | Duration | Instructor | ||||
Bozcuk et al. [25] | 3-group comparative study | Adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy | 97 | 54:43 | 65:32 | Painting art therapy program (PATP): introduction about technique and materials, making watercolor paintings, elaborating about the meaning and subject of the paintings | 6 weeks | Professional painting artist | EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) | - Significant improved QoL and decreased depression in cancer patients who received PATP - All participants enjoyed the intervention to some extent - PATP may be of more benefit to patients who are relatively in more need of help - PATP is feasible during chemotherapy sessions |
De Feudis et al. [26] | Non-randomized pre-post study design | Adult cancer patients | 115 | 88:27 | 59:56 | The production of spontaneous artwork; provoking individual self-reflections connected to the art work; shared meaning—making within the group | 4 months; each participant took part in one session (90 min) | Therapist with expertise in art therapy | State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form (STAI-Y); Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale-Revised (ESAS-R); two open-ended questions about satisfaction with the intervention | - Significant reduction in anxiety and psychosomatic distress symptoms (drowsiness and fatigue) were found in the IG compared to the CG - Most participants perceived art therapy as having a positive influence on their well-being - Intervention format was considered appropriate by other staff members |
Geue et al. [27] | Prospective intervention study | Adult cancer patients who had just finished acute treatment | 183 | 94:89 | 54:129 | Structuring materials and practicing experimental drawing; introducing watercolors; creating an individual book | 22 weekly sessions of 90 min | Artist with psycho-oncological training | Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); Questionnaire on Coping with Illness (FKV); Perceived Adjustment to Chronic Illness Scale (PACIS) | - No changes in depression scores were found for the IG - Anxiety scores decreased in a pre-post comparison, but there were no significant differences with the CG -Subjective experiences were positive throughout |
Jalambadani et al. [22] | Semi-experimental study | Women with breast cancer, any stage | 124 | 124:0 | Unclear | The 8-week MBAT program of Monti et al. (2006) | 12 weeks; once a week; 90 min | Artist with psycho-oncological training | WHO Quality-of-Life (WHOQOL)-BREF questionnaire | - Patients in the IG showed significant decreases in symptoms of distress compared to the CG - Support for the hypothesis that MBAT intervention can help decrease distress levels and improve QoL |
Jang et al. [23] | Randomized controlled trial | Women with breast cancer stage 0-III | 24 | 24:0 | 12:12 | Korean mindfulness-based stress reduction’s (K-MBSR) psychological intervention combined with the 8-week MBAT program of Monti et al. (2006) | 12 sessions; 45 min | Qualified art therapist | Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI); EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire | - Compared to the CG, patients in the IG reported significantly decreased depressive symptoms after treatment - Compared to the CG, patients in the IG reported significantly decreased anxiety after treatment - Global health status in the IG was increased after the treatment period |
Porter et al. [28] | Randomized controlled trial | Oncology hospice inpatients | 51 | 36:15 | 25:26 | Singing, playing, listening to known music; creating a melody, rhythm, song, or instrumental piece | Up to 6 individual sessions over 3 weeks | Trained and registered music therapist | McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire | - As expected, the change from baseline 1 was not significantly different between IG and CG - Notable improvement in existential well-being in IG compared to IG - Notable disimprovement in physical well-being in CG compared to IG |
Radl et al. [24] | Randomized controlled trial | Female cancer patients | 60 | 60:0 | 30:30 | Creation of a journal-style, self-reflective visual book | 6 sessions; 50 min | Art therapist | Distress Thermometer (DT); FACIT-Sp; Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement System Brief Psychological Well-being test (PROMIS) | - No statistically significant differences between Self-Book art therapy in IG and CG for the primary outcome (emotional distress) or the secondary outcome (psychological well-being) - Statistically significant increase in participant’s spiritual well-being compared to the CG - Greater effects in younger participants |