The Effect of Art Therapy on Pediatric Anxiety Levels: A Literature Review

The Effect of Art Therapy on Pediatric Anxiety Levels: A Literature Review

BACKGROUND: Pediatric anxiety affects approximately 7.1% of children and adolescents worldwide. Pediatric anxiety encompasses several anxiety disorders frequently diagnosed in children, including separation anxiety and selective mutism. Children who have anxiety disorders may experience delayed growth and development, interference with tasks of daily functioning, and may experience adverse physical, mental, and psychological health. Art therapy is a form of therapy using a variety of medias to express feelings, such as painting or dancing. Art therapy may be particularly helpful for children experiencing anxiety. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this literature review is to determine if art therapy reduced symptoms of anxiety among a pediatric population. METHODS: Three databases, PsycInfo, MedLine, and PubMed, were used to find articles addressing the research question. Identified studies needed to be peer-reviewed original research, published after 2014, and available in English. The search resulted in eight research articles addressing the association between art therapy and pediatric anxiety levels. RESULTS: Of the eight articles, three were randomized controlled trials, four were quasi-experimental studies, and one was a case-control study. The studies varied in size, from 17 to 144 participants, and varied in the specific age of the pediatric participants. In seven out of eight of the studies, a statistically significant decrease in anxiety after being administered art therapy was found. One study found a decrease in anxiety that was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Art therapy interventions show significant effectiveness in reducing the symptoms of pediatric anxiety. Healthcare providers should consider art therapy for pediatric patients with procedural anxiety and anxiety disorders. Future research should examine the types of art therapy to determine which one works the best for reducing anxiety among children.