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Social capital is often cited as shaping impacts of participatory arts, although the concept has not been systematically mapped in arts, health and wellbeing contexts. In wider health inequalities research, complex, differential, and sometimes negative impacts of social capital have been recognised. This paper maps of social capital concepts in qualitative research as part of the UK What Works for Wellbeing evidence review programme on culture, sport and wellbeing. Studies often cite positive impacts of bonding and, to a lesser extent, bridging social capital. However, reported challenges suggest the need for a critical approach. Forms of linking social capital, such as reframing and political engagement to address social divisions, are less often cited but may be important in participatory arts and wellbeing. Future research should further specify dimensions of social capital as well as their nuanced effects in arts, and wellbeing contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Norway and Sweden, the governments see a potential for establishing a policy for cultural participation, based on the assumption that cultural activities will improve health and well-being. Aim: The aim was to survey the scientific literature in Norway and Sweden concerning cultural interventions for increased well-being and health. All applications of cultural activities in medical and leisure time field were included. Methods: Medline, Cinahl, Cochrane, Psycinfo, Proquest, Sportdiscus, PsiTri, Norart, ERIC, www.helsedirektoratet.no, www.folk2.no, www.nakuhel.no, www.ssd.gu.se, www.scb.se were browsed. Additionally, grey literature such as books, reports, as well as White and Green Papers has been searched. Studies published from 1995 to 2009 were included. Results: Mostly effects of cultural participation in clinical settings were studied, focusing on small groups. Very few studies have been published regarding public health aspects. The few epidemiological studies were for the most part carried out in Sweden. In Norway the prime issue has been music therapy. Conclusions: More epidemiological and longitudinal studies addressing cause-effect relations and intermediary mechanisms are warranted as well as public health intervention studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of interventions based on the creative arts for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events was estimated for measures of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological symptoms. Using a pre-registered protocol, relevant journal articles were identified through searches of: PsycInfo; Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection; CINAHL and PsycArticles. Data were pooled using a random effects model, and effect estimates were reported as Hedges' g. Pooled effect estimates indicated that arts-based interventions significantly reduced PTSD symptom scores compared to pre-intervention (15 studies, g = −.67, p <.001) and a control group (7 studies, g = -.50, p <.001). Significant reductions were also found for measures of negative mood, but results were mixed for externalizing problems and anxiety. Despite variations in study quality, intervention approaches and types of trauma experience, the results tentatively suggest that creative arts-based interventions may be effective in reducing symptoms of trauma and negative mood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of a growing body of literature on incorporating visual media in researching well-being and mental health, this systematic review examined the evidence of using photography-based research methods in exploring recovery from mental distress, their outcomes, but also limitations and challenges encountered by researchers. Six cross-disciplinary electronic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, Arts & Humanities) were systematically searched resulting in a total of 15 qualitative and mixed-methods studies included in a thematic synthesis. Photo-elicitation and photovoice were identified as the main photographic methods employed in recovery research along with less common, but nonetheless creative, techniques. Four key themes were identified through thematic analysis in photography-based recovery studies: enhanced understanding, collaboration and empowerment, situatedness, and storytelling. The results of this review revealed photography as a valuable methodological tool with potential to contribute to conceptualising recovery from the stance of research participants, but also facilitate and support their recovery processes. Recovery research can benefit from the use of photographic methods that are widely accessible, versatile, and interactive. They may offer mental health researchers alternative ways to explore individuals' perspective on recovery in ways that are creative, empowering, and supportive of their recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engagement in non-verbal communication positively influences well-being of persons with dementia, but requires good communication skills from caregivers. An important element of non-verbal communication is attunement, but even though communication is essential for persons experiencing severe cognitive decline, attunement has not been systematically examined in dementia care. A meta-ethnographic review was conducted to investigate the concept of attunement in dementia care. Six qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria. Three interwoven themes formed a line-of-argument describing attunement with persons with dementia; (1) Taking the perspective of the person with dementia and the importance of person-centred approach, (2) Developing understanding through an empathic approach and (3) Using musical parameters in the interaction: Tempo adjustments, timing and the use of music. The results bring new knowledge about reciprocity and musical elements in non-verbal communication in dementia care and how these elements potentially increase well-being of persons with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Visual art therapy has been widely used with children with medical health conditions within various settings. However, less is known about its effectiveness. The scope of this systematic review is to shed light on what benefit art therapy may have for ill health adjustment in youth populations. Methods: Electronic databases (Psychinfo, Medline, CINAHL, ERIC, Scopus, Embase and Child and Adolescent Studies) were searched (1806–2017). Systematic methods for study selection and data extraction were used. Results: Twelve studies (N = 404 participants, 318 in the control group; aged between 2 and 19 years old, with various medical conditions) were included. Ten studies reported significant improvements concerning at least one outcome with an overall inconclusive trend toward effectiveness. Conclusions: Visual art therapy interventions were found weak in evidence quality. However, future evidence-based research designs could show the effectiveness of these interventions in health care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cancer in all its forms and stages is accompanied by a range of emotional, social and spiritual impacts. Pharmacological interventions have limited success with these issues and a range of interventions are needed to support people with a cancer diagnosis. We seek to understand the benefits of participatory performance-based arts activities, such as music, singing, drama and dance, in the care of people with cancer. We use the emerging Energy Restoration Framework, based on Kaplan's Attention Restoration Theory to explore the potentially energy-enhancing aspects of participation in such activities. Methods An integrative review is used to explore existing research on the use of participatory performance-based arts in cancer care. Existing research is summarized and critically appraised. Results are analysed thematically and mapped to the attributes of the Energy Restoration Framework. Results Eight studies (four qualitative, three quantitative and one mixed-methods study) published between 2001 and 2016 met the search criteria. Findings from the thematic analysis resonated with the attributes of the Energy Restoration Framework. Conclusions Research on the topic is very limited. When examined through the lens of the Energy Restoration Framework, the literature hints at the potential value of participatory performance-based arts activities for enhancing energy in the cancer care context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This rapid review of the literature explores the value of using participatory arts activities in residential care settings to enhance the health and well-being of older people. A rapid review of the literature published between 2000 and 2013 was undertaken and focused on participants aged 65 years and over living in residential care settings participating in arts activities such as music, dance, singing and the visual arts. The research methods used in the studies were varied, and a range of outcome measures were used, making overall synthesis of the studies difficult. Despite the methodological limitations of the studies, there is some suggestion that in the short term participating in arts activities improves mood, engagement and memory. There is some evidence that participating in arts-based activities has a role to play in improving the quality of life of older people living in residential care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives:Visual art is a powerful and expressive communication tool with utility in pediatric settings. We undertook a scoping review to understand how visual arts (e.g. drawing, painting) are used in pediatric populations with health (i.e. medical and psychiatric) conditions.Methods:CINAHL, SCOPUS and PubMed were searched (2001–2011). We used systematic methods for study selection and data extraction. We conducted a descriptive analysis and categorized studies according to the purpose of the artistic intervention.Results:Of 1767 articles retrieved, 16 met the inclusion criteria. Visual art was most commonly used with the conditions of autism and post-traumatic stress disorder. Findings illuminate the use of art visual as a mechanism to facilitate or reduce specific child attributes (e.g. self-efficacy, anxiety) and to facilitate understanding through communication or assessment.Conclusions:This review provides information about the uses of visual art in pediatric populations with health conditions, as well as gaps in existing research. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Primary Objective: This descriptive review investigated how arts and health programmes and projects in Primary Health Care evaluate their effectiveness. A systematic search was undertaken of articles and reports that reported results from arts and health project and programme evaluations in Primary Health Care settings from 2004 to 2009. Twenty-nine articles or reports met the inclusion criteria. These articles were analysed to identify the characteristics of the evaluations, evaluation tools used, and what the evaluations measured.Main outcomes and results: The review found that a range of different approaches, models and designs are used to evaluate arts and health programmes or projects in Primary Health Care. Questionnaires and interviews were the most common data collection tools used, with a majority of studies using qualitative or mixed methods. The review also identified three main approaches in terms of what factors were measured: measuring the programme objectives, measuring for specific health status or health factors and measuring the experience.Conclusions: The focus on arts and health evaluation to date has largely been to justify funding or prove that the art in the health arena is worthwhile or cost-effective. As arts and health becomes established as its own area of practice we face the challenge of ascertaining how to best evaluate such programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arts are valued by most societies for a variety of reasons. From a health perspective they have been valued primarily for therapeutic purposes. Subsequently, the benefit of the arts in health research is increasingly evident. Although the arts have been used as a research method in other disciplines, their use in health is much more recent. There is no clear understanding of the kind of arts or the way the arts have been used as a research method. This systematic review of the literature was conducted to fill this knowledge gap. We undertook the review to determine what constitutes arts-based methods in health research and how have these methods been used. We searched eight databases using different combinations of several keywords. We used content and thematic analysis to analyze our results. Thirty studies met our criteria for inclusion. Visual arts were the most common, followed by performance arts, and literary arts. The purposes of using arts in health research were primarily for knowledge production and knowledge translation. Artistic methods are a useful technique for both knowledge production and translation purposes, albeit to a limited degree. We will discuss our findings in terms of trends, methodological issues and theoretical issues. Further research is needed to advance this area of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]