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Table 2 Characteristics of the included studies of art therapy

From: The clinical and cost effectiveness of group art therapy for people with non-psychotic mental health disorders: a systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis

Study author & year

Country

Number

Patients

Art therapy description

Control description

Beebe et al. 2010 [29]

USA

22

Children with asthma

Included an opening activity; discussion of the weekly topic and art intervention; art making; opportunity for the parents to share their feelings related to the art they created, and the closing activity.

Wait-list

Broome et al. 2001 [13]

USA

97a

Children (n = 65); & adolescents (n = 32) with sickle cell disease

Opportunity to express feelings about pain and develop social skills through interactions with others using art as a focal point for their disease and ethnicity

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy “Relaxation” for pain or; Attention control (fun activities e.g. picnic, museum) for children group only

Gussak 2007 [30]

USA

44a

Incarcerated males

Asked to draw person picking an apple from a tree and other similar art therapy tasks

No treatment

Hattori et al. 2011 [24]

Japan

39

Adults with alzheimer’s disease

Primary task to colour abstract patterns which are unclear before colouring. Encouraged to draw familiar objects based on memories or favourite seasons

Simple calculations (additions and multiplications of 1 or 2 figure numbers). No pre-set target; patients completed as many as could in session

Kim 2013 [15]

Korea

50

Non-clinical older adults

Introductory 10–15 min ‘unfreezing’ phase, followed by 35–40 min for individual art making, 15–20 min for group discussion

Regular programme activities such as reading books, playing board games, and watching television

Lyshak-Stelzer et al. 2007 [18]

USA

29

Adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder

Completion of at least 13 collages or drawings to express a “life story” narrative. Encouraged but not required to discuss dreams, memories and feelings related to their trauma

“Treatment as usual”–arts and craft making activity group

McCaffrey et al. 2011 [19]b

USA

39

Older adults

Drawing self-portraits; presented to group; create new drawings; display and discuss. (Art therapy was reported as the control)

The two “intervention” groups were individual (n = 13) or guided (n = 13) garden walking in the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach

Monti et al. 2004 [31]

USA

111a

Women with cancer

Mindfulness based art therapy multi-modal programme including a standardised mindfulness-based stress reduction curriculum; art therapy tasks and supportive group therapy

Wait-list

Monti et al. 2006 [16]

Monti et al. 2012 [17]

USA

18

Breast cancer (no clinical mental health problem)

Mindfulness based art therapy. Art making paired with meditation and ways of expressing emotional information in a personally meaningful manner

Educational support group: control given equal time and provided with support and resources to maximise quality of life including expert speakers on topics and time for sharing and supportive exchanges

Rusted et al. 2006 [20]

UK

45a

Adults with dementia

Group-interactive psychodynamic approach

Activity groups: a selection of recreational activities from different centres in the locality

Thyme et al. 2007 [14]

Sweden

39

Depressed female adults

Psychodynamic art therapy. Painting and reflective dialogue between the participant and the therapist

Verbal psychodynamic psychotherapy

  1. aN reported is different in final sample results
  2. bIn this trial art therapy was designated the control arm with the two garden walking formats being designated as the interventions