Arts-based interventions for hospitalised patients with cancer: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Objective: This article examines the effects of visual arts-based interventions on hospitalised patients with cancer and explore how these interventions are implemented in a clinical setting. Methods: Electronic databases searched included: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Scopus. The search terms used were ‘neoplasm’, ‘cancer’, and ‘visual arts’. Articles were excluded if the intervention was art therapy, or if the intervention was implemented outside the clinical setting. Results: The five research articles included were all set in bone marrow transplant units. A variety of outcomes were explored, including anxiety, depression and stress. While some statistically significant improvements were identified, there was a lack of consistency and rigour in methodology across the studies. Conclusion: The literature suggests that the provision of visual arts-based interventions during hospitalisation is a beneficial experience. However, there is a dearth of literature assessing the effectiveness of visual arts-based interventions for hospitalised patients with cancer; therefore, more research is needed to establish their impact.