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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Jun 26:79:100404.
doi: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2024.100404. eCollection 2024.

The effects of art therapy interventions on anxiety in children and adolescents: A meta-analysis

Bo Zhang  1 , Jiahua Wang  2 , Azizah Binti Abdullah  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The effects of art therapy interventions on anxiety in children and adolescents: A meta-analysis

Bo Zhang et al. Clinics (Sao Paulo). .

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of art therapy on anxiety among children and adolescents.

Methods: We searched several databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase (via Ovid), PsychINFO (through EBSCO), and The Cochrane Library, comprising the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Additionally, Chinese databases such as CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) and Wan Fang Data were explored from their beginnings until October 22, 2023. Studies that investigated the impact of art therapy on anxiety compared to a control group were included. The methodological quality of these randomized controlled trials was evaluated using the Cochrane Handbook's risk of bias instrument.

Results: Six studies involving 422 participants were included. The findings indicated a notable decrease in anxiety symptoms due to art therapy, with a Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) of -1.42, 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI -2.33, -0.51), p < 0.002. Notably, there was pronounced heterogeneity, as evidenced by Tau2 = 1.41, Chi2 = 101.19, df = 6, and I² = 94%, with Z = 3.06.

Conclusion: Art therapy significantly improved the anxiety symptoms of children and adolescents, positioning it as an effective means of treating anxiety.

Keywords: Adolescents; Anxiety; Art therapy; Children; Meta-analysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
Literature screening flow chart.
Fig 2
Fig. 2
Effects of art therapy on anxiety.
Fig 3
Fig. 3
Sub-group analysis of effects of art therapy on anxiety.
Fig 4
Fig. 4
Risk of bias graph.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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