Reviewing art therapy research : a constructive critique

摘要: The literature search that informed our review initially yielded 12,122 papers of potential interest, derived from seven databases. After applying a series filters we arrived at 92 on which base findings, thoughts and recommendations for future work. Our methodological approach was by the systematic guidance published Centre Reviews Dissemination (2009), Arts Council definition ‘arts activities’. Hence considered reporting therapeutic arts interventions conducted 'patients' included some measurement health state. excluding any research people less than age 18, selected studies where participants had active (as opposed to passive) engagement with therapy/treatment/medium. Only study types were quantitative were in this review. Rather simply criticise execution applied own expertise process. It immediately evident definitions categories would pose difficulties as there is much variety language used describe arts, therapies treatment. This is problem indexing, causing initial screening be laborious most commonly reported art activities were: writing, music, dance. numerous condition studied mental followed cognitive function, stress and cancer. Most carried out US UK. As discipline, psychology featured regularly. When therapists involved descriptions possible effects medium tended better elucidated. Future into use therapy healthcare will benefit synthesis approaches can retain more robust aspects of, example, RCTs insights that can qualitative methods.