Art therapy has proven through research to make significant improvements for clients with a wide range of different treatment goals.
Studies of art therapy have confirmed that art therapy is effective in achieving many kinds of client goals. Here are some major themes of the effectiveness of art therapy that emerge in scientific and medical literature:
- Decreased anxiety and stress
- Increased self-esteem
- Improved social skills
- Increased attention abilities
- Reduction in negative moods
- Increase in pleasure
- Enhanced self-efficacy
- Increased self-acceptance and self-actualization
Who does Art Therapy work for?
Here are a few selected populations with relevant research results:
ADD and ADHD
Research indicated that art therapy had the effect of increasing attentional abilities and decreasing impulsive behaviors over time, allowing for better decision making, completion of task, general growth in developmental level, and an interest in personal aesthetics.
School-Age Students
Art therapy was associated with increased academic performance.
Research showed that art therapy promoted a feeling of acceptance and belonging.
Another study related art therapy with improved students‘ attitudes about school, family, and self.
Cancer Patients
Art therapy improved depression and influenced fatigue levels in cancer patients on chemotherapy.
Art therapy improved the experienced quality of life among women undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
It is thought that this nonverbal, creative technique can help children develop coping skills for dealing with pain. Art therapy promoted more cooperative behavior during painful interventions such as lumbar puncture and bone marrow aspiration.
Parkinsons's Disease Patients
Results showed a positive outcome with significant decrease in somatic and emotional symptoms. This research supports the value of an art therapeutic clay program for patients diagnosed with Parkinson‘s disease.
Chronic Stroke Patients
The report suggests that art therapy had a positive therapeutic effect improving the mood and cognitive functioning.
Addiction and Substance Abuse
Art Therapy exercises resulted in a significant decrease in denial of their addiction during treatment.
Grief and Bereavement
Research showed improved cognitive and emotional coping resources in grieving mothers.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Trauma
Research showed that adolescents that received art therapy had greater reduction in PTSD symptom severity than youths in "treatment-as -usual" conditions.
Reduction in nightmares associated with combat related trauma.
Sexual Abuse
Research revealed evidence suggesting that art therapy improves aspects of self-esteem.
Victims of sexual abuse showed increased awareness and expression of feelings after art therapy.
Another study showed decreased anxiety in victims of sexual abuse after experience an art therapy exercise.
Geriatirc and Elderly
Following an art therapy exercise, the participating group showed significantly improved measures of self-esteem, reduced depression and anxiety. Those with low self-esteem and high anxiety benefited the most.
For a full bibliography of all the aforementioned studies and many more that were left out, email alisonmyers@gmail.com.