Evidence for the effects of viewing visual artworks on stress outcomes: a scoping review

Abstract

ObjectiveTo review the existing evidence on the effects of viewing visual artworks on stress outcomes and outline any gaps in the research.DesignA scoping review was conducted based on the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Two independent reviewers performed the screening and data extraction.Data sourcesMedline, Embase, APA PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, Google Scholar, Google, ProQuest Theses and Dissertations Database, APA PsycExtra and Opengrey.eu were searched in May 2020.Eligibility criteriaStudies were included if they investigated the effects of viewing at least one visual artwork on at least one stress outcome measure. Studies involving active engagement with art, review papers or qualitative studies were excluded. There were no limits in terms of year of publication, contexts or population types; however, only studies published in the English language were considered.Data extraction and synthesisInformation extracted from manuscripts included: study methodologies, population and setting characteristics, details of the artwork interventions and key findings.Results14 primary studies were identified, with heterogeneous study designs, methodologies and artwork interventions. Many studies lacked important methodological details and only four studies were randomised controlled trials. 13 of the 14 studies on self-reported stress reported reductions after viewing artworks, and all of the four studies that examined systolic blood pressure reported reductions. Fewer studies examined heart rate, heart rate variability, cortisol, respiration or other physiological outcomes.ConclusionsThere is promising evidence for effects of viewing artwork on reducing stress. Moderating factors may include setting, individual characteristics, artwork content and viewing instructions. More robust research, using more standardised methods and randomised controlled trial designs, is needed.Registration detailsA protocol for this review is registered with the Open Science Framework (osf.io/gq5d8).

Wonder symphony: epigenetics and the enchantment of the arts

“…Indeed, by examining, for example, a pivotal change often linked to engagement with art—the reduction in cortisol blood levels [ 84 ]—a foundation for the plausibility of an epigenetic framework can be easily established. The intricate regulation of cortisol and its corresponding receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor, is significantly influenced by epigenetic mechanisms, in particular by DNA methylation [ 85 ].…”

When the painting meets its musical inspiration: The impact of multimodal art experience on aesthetic enjoyment and subjective well-being in the museum.

“…Art and aesthetic experiences have been linked to improved well-being and decreased ill-being (Fancourt & Finn, 2019). For example, viewing artworks in museums has been associated with reduced stress and better psychological well-being (Clow & Fredhoi, 2006; Law et al, 2021; Ter-Kazarian & Luke, 2019). For instance, visiting an art museum (Clow & Fredhoi, 2006) or cultural sites (Grossi et al, 2019) for even short periods of 5 min to half an hour reduced the stress levels of participants (Mastandrea et al, 2019).…”

“…influence aesthetic experience (Leder et al, 2012, 2014; van Paasschen et al, 2015). Relevant for our investigation, a recent review (Law et al, 2021) proposed these individual characteristics as potential moderators of the stress-reducing effect of visual artwork viewing. In support of this, Trupp et al (2023) have shown that people who are more aesthetically responsive—trait that shows ability to engage with art on all domains—also have higher well-being gains of art experience because they have better aesthetic experiences.…”

Virtual Art Therapy: Application of Michelangelo Effect to Neurorehabilitation of Patients with Stroke

“…The reasons for which the simple contemplation of an artistic masterpiece activates the motor areas were found to derive from the possible recognition of emotions displayed by the expressions of painted persons [ 6 ], from neuron networks activated by their actions [ 7 ], from the ideal possibility to move throughout the represented scene [ 5 ], and even from the observer’s empathetic engagement, with a simulation of the motor program that corresponds to the gestures done by the artist to produce the artwork [ 7 , 8 ]. Furthermore, art observation reduces stress and blood pressure, improves cognitive and emotional processes, and distracts from negative experiences [ 9 ].…”