Arts on Prescription: A review of practice in the UK

Abstract

The current levels of psychosocial distress in society are significant, as evidenced by the number of prescribed antidepressants and the numbers of working days lost as a result of stress and anxiety. There is a growing body of evidence that active involvement in creative activities provides a wide range of benefits, including the promotion of well-being, quality of life, health and social capital. In the U.K. there are currently a number of projects operating that offer Arts on Prescription for people experiencing mental health problems and social isolation. The purpose of such schemes is not to replace conventional therapies but rather to act as an adjunct, helping people in their recovery through creativity and increasing social engagement. Although the schemes are varied in their approaches and settings, the common theme is that there is a referral process and creative activities take place in the community facilitated by artists rather than therapists. This paper explores whether such schemes can be part of the solution to the current challenge of mental ill-health, and looks at the evidence supporting the value of such schemes which may influence government, funders and healthcare professionals to implement Arts on Prescription more widely.

Choral singing therapy following stroke or Parkinson’s disease: an exploration of participants’ experiences

“…Small-scale choral studies with PD have shown improvements in QOL [40], speech intelligibility [41], breath control, and prosody [42]. Large-scale studies of choir participation with healthy older adults indicate improved QOL [43,44], social engagement [45,46], mood [47], immune functioning [48], and overall health [49].…”

Using the experience-sampling method to examine the psychological mechanisms by which participatory art improves wellbeing

“…6,3 Further benefits of art-making include increased positive affect, self-esteem, and improved social skills and working memory. 1,6,7,8,9 Various models have been proposed to explain why and how participatory arts may improve wellbeing. 10 For example, early models to explain the effects of expressive writing on wellbeing proposed that art enables catharsis, whereby disclosing once inhibited affective content reduces stress and improves immune system functioning.…”

Art and Healthcare - Healing Potential of Artistic Interventions in Medical Settings

“…It improves well-being of patients in palliative and oncological care, and also supports clinical work with patients with mental disorders [26]. In the U.K. there is currently a number of projects operating that offer Arts on Prescription designed for people with mental health problems and experiencing social isolation aiming at helping people in their recovery through creativity and increasing their social engagement [27].…”