MENTALLY DISABLED
Among the many health benefits and outcomes of art therapies for mental health and those patients who are mentally disabled are less anxiety, decreased depression, more favorable coping skills, better social skills, more positive self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of psychological states.
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Dance
Dance Movement Therapy for Depressed Clients: Profiles of the Level and Changes in Depression
Researchers in Finland during 2022 investigated changes in depression among working age (18–64-year-olds) adults diagnosed with depression who participated in a 20-session dance movement therapy (DMT) intervention. They found that all participants benefited from the DMT intervention. Symptoms of those suffering from mild depression decreased to the level of no depression and those with severe depression saw their symptoms reduced to the level of moderate depression.
Re-Inhabiting One’s Body: A Pilot Study on the Effects of Dance Movement Therapy on Body Image and Alexithymia in Eating Disorders
A 2020 pilot study published in the Journal of Eating Disorders evaluated the effects of a Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) intervention on body image and alexithymia in patients with eating disorders. They found that participants of the DMT group significantly improved in Body Areas Satisfaction and Appearance Evaluation, and they decreased significantly in Appearance Orientation and a decrease in Overweight Preoccupation was also observed. DMT participants also reported improvements in their mood states and an increase in their self-awareness.
The Effects of Dance Movement in the Treatment of Depression: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial
In 2020, a group of researchers compared treating patients diagnosed with depression in the usual methods, and also by adding dance movement therapy (DMT) to a subgroup of patients. Their results found that adding DMT may improve the effectiveness of standard care.
Embodied Self in Trauma and Self-Harm: A Pilot Study of Effects of Flamenco Therapy on Traumatized Inpatients
In 2019, researchers in Germany conducted a study with trauma survivors and the impact flamenco dance therapy would have on their mental health. Their results suggest a significant improvement of well-being, improvement of experienced health level, and improvement of experienced physical pain after flamenco therapy by the experimental group compared to the control group.
Effects of Dance Movement Therapy and Dance on Health-Related Psychological Outcomes
A 2019 study by Dr. Sabine Koch from the University of Heidelberg showed that dance movement therapy decreases depression and anxiety and increases quality of life and interpersonal and cognitive skills, and dance intervention increases motor skills. Follow-up data showed that on 22 weeks after the intervention, most effects remained stable or slightly increased.
Music/Singing
Music-Based Casual Video Game Training Alleviates Symptoms of Subthreshold Depression
Researchers in China in 2022 conducted a study to investigate the beneficial effects of music-based video game training on the depression, anxiety and stress symptoms of young individuals. Their results showed that depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were significantly reduced after 4 weeks of music-based training.
The Effect of Classical Music on Heart Rate, Blood Pressure and Mood
In 2022, researchers expanded on prior studies looking at the effect of music on heart rate, blood pressure and mood utilizing two classical pieces, “ Symphony of Fate” by Beethoven and “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven. Their results suggest that classical music has a positive impact on the cardiovascular system. Music also affects other parts of the brain, which in turn affects the mood through the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. Finally, they found listening to music may be a potential therapeutic method for reducing anxiety and depression.
Emotion Modulation Through Music After Sadness Induction
Researchers in 2021 investigated whether the sequence of music with different emotional valence can modulate the emotional state. In 2022, researchers expanded on prior studies looking at the effect of music on heart rate, Their results showed that the group of participants who listened to sad music first and happy music afterwards ultimately reported a higher positive affect, a higher emotional valence and a lower negative affect compared with the other groups.
Effects of Music Therapy on Depression
In 2020, researchers conducted a study to determine and compare the effects of music therapy and music medicine on depression and explore the potential factors associated with the effect. Their results showed that music therapy and music medicine exhibited a significant reduction in depressive symptoms.
Development of an Improvisational Music Therapy Intervention for Young Adults with Depressive Symptoms
Researchers in The Netherlands conducted a study in 2019 to develop an improvisational music therapy intervention based on insights from theory, evidence and clinical practice for young adults with depressive symptoms. Their work showed that this therapy helped improve emotional regulation and reduced depressive symptoms.
Theater
A Pilot Remote Drama Therapy Program Using the Co-active Therapeutic Theater Model in People with Serious Mental Illness
Researchers from UMass Memorial Health published in 2022 the results of their study detailing the results of their pilot remote drama therapy program for community members living with serious mental illness. Participants with serious mental illness completed a 12-week drama therapy program which included an online performance. They concluded that drama therapy presents an opportunity for individuals with serious mental illness to process and share their journeys with their diagnoses and re-create a healthy sense of self with increased community awareness.
Attending Live Theatre Improves Empathy, Changes Attitudes and Leads to Pro-Social Behavior
In 2021, Researchers examined whether attending live theatre improves empathy by immersing audience members in the stories of others. After seeing the plays, people reported greater empathy for groups depicted in the shows, held opinions that were more consistent with socio-political issues highlighted in the shows, and donated more money to charities related to the shows, as well as charities unrelated to the shows. Altogether, these findings suggest that theatre is more than mere entertainment; it can lead to tangible increases in empathy and pro-social behavior.
Arts, Mental Distress, Mental Health Functioning & Life Satisfaction
A 2020 study done by researchers at the University of Singapore showed that, after controlling for all time-constant variables, frequent arts participation and cultural attendance were associated with lower levels of mental distress, higher levels of life satisfaction and could protect against mental distress.
Effects of Drama Therapy on Depressive Symptoms, Attention and Quality of Life in Patients with Dementia
The aim of a 2020 study done in Taiwan was to examine the effects of drama therapy in terms of improving depressive symptoms, attention and quality of life in patients with dementia. The study results showed that after both 8 and 12 weeks of drama therapy, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in depressive symptoms.
Shall I Compare Thee…to a Robot? An Exploratory Pilot Study Using Participatory Arts and Social Robotics to Improve Psychological Well-Being
In 2019, an interdisciplinary team designed an intervention integrating theatre and social robotics with the aim of improving the psychological well-being of study participants both with and without cognitive impairment who live in a residential care setting. Their analysis showed the depression, loneliness and face scores had significantly decreased among the participants.
Visual Arts
A Case Study of Group Art Therapy Using Digital Media for Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities
A 2023 study examined the effectiveness of digital art therapy to allow adolescents with intellectual disabilities express themselves better. They found that interaction with the media through touch and the use of apps promoted autonomy with interest and pleasure to disabled teenagers, allowing them to express themselves actively.
Measuring the Public and Economic Value of Art Museum Experiences
Researchers released the results of a 2023 study that measured the emotional well-being of participants after visiting a museum. The results demonstrated that visiting these museums delivered significant societal and economic value to their communities.
The Effects of Art Therapy on Anxiety and Distress for Korean-Ukrainian Refugees
The results of a 2022 study on the impact of art therapy for Ukrainian refugees staying in Korea due to the wartime emergency were released and suggested that the intervention of art therapy as immediate mental healthcare for refugees facing war could benefit mental health.
Impact of Group Therapy Using Chinese Materials on Self-Efficacy and Social Function for Individuals Diagnosed with Schizophrenia
In 2021 researchers examined the impact of using group art therapy for patients suffering from schizophrenia. Their results showed that group art therapy using traditional Chinese materials can improve self-efficacy and social function, reduce social and life function problems and promote the recovery of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Adult Therapeutic Coloring for the Management of Significant Anxiety in the Emergency Department
Researchers in Australia set out to examine the effectiveness of adult coloring books using a randomized trial at a university-affiliated emergency department (ED) in 2020. Among the ED patients, exposure to adult coloring books resulted in lower self-reported levels of anxiety at 2 hours compared to the placebo group.
