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Published on: January 7, 2019
Art therapy for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Ronja Joschko1, Stephanie Roll1,2, Weronika A Grabowska1
1Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité - University Medical Center Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|August 7, 2026
Summary
Art therapy significantly reduces depressive symptoms, offering a valuable non-medical treatment option. This review highlights art therapy
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Art Therapy
Background:
- Depression is a leading global cause of disability.
- Non-medical treatment options for depression are crucial.
- Art therapy is an emerging complementary treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of visual art therapy on depressive symptoms.
- To synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of an umbrella review.
- Included randomized trials of visual art therapy.
- Meta-analysis of depressive symptoms using standardized mean difference (SMD).
Main Results:
- 26 studies were included, with 19 (997 patients) in the meta-analysis.
- A significant reduction in depressive symptoms was found (SMD = 0.53).
- Variations in results were linked to control groups, study quality, and populations.
Conclusions:
- Art therapy is associated with improved depressive symptoms.
- Visual art therapy demonstrates efficacy as a complementary treatment.
- Increased accessibility of art therapy for depression is recommended.
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