The Effectiveness of Art Therapy for Anxiety in Adult Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectivesArt therapy (AT) as a treatment option for anxiety is regularly employed in clinical practice, but scientific evidence for its effectiveness is lacking, since this intervention has hardly been studied. The aim was to study the effectiveness of AT on anxiety in adult women. The specific type of AT studied was anthroposophic AT.MethodsA RCT comparing AT versus a waiting list (WL) condition on anxiety symptom severity, quality of life, and emotion regulation. Factors influencing treatment outcome were additionally explored. Participants were women, aged 18–65 years, diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder or panic disorder, with moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. The trial was registered in the Dutch Trial Registration (NTR28143).ResultsFifty-nine women were included, of which 47 completed the trial. Both per-protocol and intention-to treat analyses demonstrated effectiveness of AT compared to WL, showing a reduction in anxiety, an increase in subjective quality of life (both with large effects) and an improvement in accessibility of emotion regulation strategies (medium effect). Treatment effects remained after 3 months follow-up. Improved acceptance of emotions and improved goal-oriented action are aspects of emotion regulation that are associated with the decrease in anxiety level.ConclusionAT is effective in reducing anxiety symptoms, improving quality of life and aspects of emotion regulation. Future RCTs should use active controls (treatment as usual) and study cost-effectiveness

Effectiveness and mechanisms of the arts therapies in forensic care. A systematic review, narrative synthesis, and meta analysis

IntroductionMental health care provided to offenders with psychiatric problems in forensic settings mainly consists of verbal oriented treatments. In addition, experience-based therapies are used such as (creative) arts therapies: (visual) art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy and dance (movement) therapy. There are indications for effectiveness of arts therapies, but a systematic overview of effect studies of all arts therapies in forensic care is lacking.MethodsFirst, we performed a systematic review. Second, Thematic Analysis was used to synthesize the qualitative narrative results and define the hypothesized mechanisms of change. Third, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the effects of arts therapies in reducing psychosocial problems of offenders. Twenty-three studies were included in the review. Quality and risk of bias was assessed using EPHPP (Effective Public Health Practice Project).ResultsThe included studies were heterogeneous in type of outcome measures and intervention characteristics. Synthesis of mechanisms of change involved in the methodical use of the arts in arts therapies resulted in a description of regulatory processes which are stimulated in arts therapies: perceptive awareness (interoceptive and exteroceptive), the regulation of emotions, stress, impulses, cognitions, social regulation, and self-expression. These processes play a role in developing prevention, coping and self-management skills. Eighteen studies were included in the meta-analyses (11 RCTs/CCTs; 7 pre-post studies). The meta-analyses indicated significant effects on both risk factors (psychiatric symptoms and addiction) and protective factors for criminal behavior (social functioning and psychological functioning). Effects on criminal and/or antisocial behavior were not significant, but this outcome measure was scarcely used among the studies.DiscussionThe analyses in this study should be considered explorative. More research is needed to gain more solid conclusions about effectiveness and mechanisms of change of arts therapies in forensic institutions. However, the results of this first systematic review, synthesis of mechanisms and meta-analysis in this field are promising and show effects of arts therapies on risk and protective factors in individuals in forensic institutions.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020217884, identifier: CRD42020217884

Art therapy & Anxiety

Dit proefschrift is gericht op een van de interventies die vaak wordt toegepast in de behandeling van angst, maar tot op heden weinig is onderzocht: vaktherapie beeldend, en kunstzinnige therapie in het bijzonder

Anxiety reduction through art therapy in women: Exploring stress regulation and executive functioning as underlying neurocognitive mechanisms

Objectives To explore possible working mechanisms of anxiety reduction in women with anxiety disorders, treated with art therapy (AT). Methods A RCT comparing AT versus waiting list (WL) condition on aspects of self-regulation. Stress regulation (heart rate and heart rate variability) and executive functioning (daily behavioural and cognitive performance aspects of executive functioning (EF)) were evaluated in a prepost design. Participants were women, aged 18–65 years with moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. Results Effectiveness of AT compared to WL was demonstrated in a higher resting HRV post treatment, improvements in aspects of self-reported daily EF (emotion control, working memory, plan/organize and task monitor), but not in cognitive performance of EF, stress responsiveness and down regulation of stress. The decrease in anxiety level was associated with improvements in self-reported daily EF. Conclusions AT improves resting HRV and aspects of EF, the latter was associated with art therapy related anxiety reductio

Werkingsmechanismen van vaktherapie:Naar een onderbouwing en verklaring van effecten - work in progress

Het Zorginstituut Nederland ontwikkelt een toetsingskader voor de evaluatie van de inzet van vaktherapie in de curatieve ggz voor volwassen

Werkingsmechanismen van vaktherapie: Naar een onderbouwing en verklaring van effecten - work in progress

Het Zorginstituut Nederland ontwikkelt een toetsingskader voor de evaluatie van de inzet van vaktherapie in de curatieve ggz voor volwassen