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Review
. 2022 Dec;24(12):1715-1730.
doi: 10.1007/s11912-022-01321-0. Epub 2022 Aug 23.

Art Therapy in Advanced Cancer. A Mapping Review of the Evidence

Nadia Collette  1   2 , Ivan Sola  1   3   4 , Xavier Bonfill  1   3   4 , Antonio Pascual  5   6
Affiliations
Review

Art Therapy in Advanced Cancer. A Mapping Review of the Evidence

Nadia Collette et al. Curr Oncol Rep. 2022 Dec.

Erratum in

Abstract

Purpose of review: The benefits of arts in improving well-being in end-of-life patients have been stated by the WHO. To inspire clinical practice and future research, we performed a mapping review of the current evidence on the effectiveness of art therapy interventions in stage III and IV cancer patients and their relatives.

Recent findings: We identified 14 studies. Benefits reported by the authors were grouped as improved emotional and spiritual condition, symptom relief, perception of well-being, satisfaction, and helpfulness. As a body of evidence, notable limitations were observed: Only 1 study was a randomized controlled trial (RCT), and there was heterogeneity in the interventions and outcome measures. This mapping review highlights the evidence available on the effectiveness of art therapy in advanced cancer, which remains limited and presents specific challenges. It also provides a visual representation of the reported benefits, encouraging further and more rigorous investigation.

Keywords: Advanced cancer; Art therapy; Evidence; Integrative care; Palliative care; Suffering.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance
    1. WHO Expert Committee on Cancer Pain Relief and Active Supportive Care & World Health Organization. Cancer pain relief and palliative care : report of a WHO expert committee [‎meeting held in Geneva from 3 to 10 July 1989]‎. World Health Organization; 1990. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/39524 .
    1. •• Fancourt D, Finn S. What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2019 (Health Evidence Network (HEN) synthesis report 67). From an authoritative source in health, this review acknowledges the global evidence (results from over 3000 studies in diverse disciplines) on the contribution of the arts to the prevention, management, and treatment of illness across the lifespan.
    1. •• Wood MJ, Jacobson B, Cridford H. The international handbook of art therapy in palliative and bereavement care. New York and London: Routledge; 2019. This handbook presents multicultural and international perspectives on how art therapy can help to alleviate the distress and suffering of individuals, groups, families, communities, and nations facing death and dying as well as grief and loss. - DOI
    1. AATA. About art therapy. The American Art Therapy Association website: https://www.arttherapy.org/upload/2017_DefinitionofProfession.pdf . Accessed May 16, 2021.
    1. BAAT. About art therapy. The British Association of Art Therapists website: https://www.baat.org/About-Art-Therapy . Accessed May 16, 2021.

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