Art Therapy for Paediatric Pain: A Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pain Management
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Child Psychology

Background:

• Pain is a prevalent issue in pediatric populations, often requiring a multidisciplinary treatment strategy.
• While art therapy is increasingly utilized in pediatrics, empirical evidence regarding its efficacy in managing pediatric pain is limited.
• A comprehensive understanding of existing research is needed to guide future interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review mapping current research on the impact of art therapy interventions on pain outcomes in pediatric populations.
• To identify and synthesize findings from studies investigating art therapy for acute, recurrent, and chronic pain in children and adolescents.

Main Methods:

• A systematic electronic search was performed by a medical librarian to identify relevant studies.
• Studies were screened and selected by four independent reviewers using Covidence.
• Data extraction focused on study objectives and pain as an outcome measure.

Main Results:

• Five studies met the inclusion criteria for the review.
• Four studies reported on pain intensity, while all five assessed emotional functioning.
• Findings indicate that art therapy may reduce pain intensity, anxiety, stress, and fear in children undergoing treatment.

Conclusions:

• Art therapy interventions show promise in alleviating pain and improving emotional functioning in pediatric patients.
• There is emerging evidence supporting art therapy's role in managing acute and procedural pain in children.
• Further research is recommended to explore the integration of art therapy into comprehensive pediatric pain management plans.