Arts on Prescription’s influence on Sense of Coherence: A one-year follow up controlled study with people having mental health problems

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term effects of an Arts on Prescription (AoP) programme on sense of coherence (SOC) in Sweden. Design: A controlled intervention study with a quasi-experimental prospective design, including questionnaires at baseline, with follow-ups at 6 and 12 months. Participants were on sick leave due to common mental disorders (CMD) and/or non-specific musculoskeletal pain, recruited from primary care in six regions. The intervention group also included participants from open psychiatric care. The study sample comprised 586 participants (335 in the intervention group and 251 in the control group). Results: Both groups showed a significantly stronger SOC at follow-up, with a medium effect size for the intervention group and a small effect size for the control group. No statistically significant difference in SOC change over time was observed between the groups. Participants from open psychiatric care in the intervention group showed a significant improvement in SOC compared to those from primary care. Concerns about finances had a significant main effect on SOC for the entire study population. Originality: Unlike most AoP studies, this controlled study with a relatively large sample provides insights into the long-term effects of AoP on SOC, with results reported using p-values and effect sizes.