The effects of art-making intervention on mind–body and quality of life in adults with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose To investigate the effectiveness of art-making interventions on physical and psychological outcomes, as well as quality of life (QOL), in adult patients with cancer. Methods Seven English-language databases (PubMed, Academic Search Premier, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) and three Chinese-language databases (CNKI, WanFang, and VIP) were searched up to and including May 1, 2023. We used the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2.0 and the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies-of Interventions to evaluate the certainty of evidence. The data were analyzed using Review Manager software 5.4. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022321471). Results The studies predominantly focused on visual art ( n = 21), two specifically used performing art ( n = 2), and five integrated both forms of art-making ( n = 5). The pooled results showed that art-making significantly improved anxiety (SMD = − 1.12, 95% CI [− 1.43, − 0.81], p < 0.01), depression (SMD = − 0.91, 95% CI [− 1.16, − 0.65], p < 0.01), distress (SMD = − 1.19, 95% CI [− 1.43, − 0.95], p < 0.01), psychological well-being (SMD = 0.41, 95% CI [0.02, 0.80], p = 0.04), societal well-being (SMD = 0.29, 95% CI [0.04, 0.54], p = 0.03), nausea (SMD = − 1.81, 95% CI [− 2.84, − 0.78], p < 0.01), physical well-being (SMD = 0.11, 95% CI [0.02, 0.20], p = 0.02), and QOL (SMD = 0.81, 95% CI [0.29, 1.33], p < 0.01). However, it did not significantly improve fatigue (SMD = − 0.28, 95% CI [− 0.75, 0.19], p = 0.24) and pain (SMD = − 0.18, 95% CI [− 1.97, 1.60], p = 0.84) in patients with cancer. Conclusions Art-making interventions may boost psychological well-being, physical symptoms, and QOL among patients with cancer. More robust studies are necessary to overcome methodological limitations and promote wider adoption of these interventions. Trial registration Prospero registration number: CRD42022321471.