Art therapy reduces depressive symptoms significantly in adults with depression compared with control conditions
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Key Takeaway
Consider art therapy for depressive symptoms in adults with depression.
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined art therapy as an intervention for adults with depression. The analysis included data from community settings involving 861 participants. The primary outcome assessed was depressive symptoms, while anxiety symptoms served as a secondary outcome.
Results showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared with control conditions. The pooled effect size was SMD = -0.69 with a 95% CI of -1.04 to -0.35. The z statistic was 3.92 and the p value was less than 0.001. In contrast, effects on anxiety symptoms were small and not statistically significant.
The authors noted substantial heterogeneity among the included trials. Only three studies contributed data for anxiety outcomes. Several trials were at risk of bias. The review did not report adverse events or tolerability data. Effects in older adults and interventions lasting longer than six weeks were not overestimated.
Art therapy appears to be a promising intervention for improving depressive symptoms among adults with depression. However, results regarding anxiety outcomes and effects in older adults require cautious interpretation. The evidence base remains limited by the number of contributing studies.
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View Original Abstract ↓
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of art therapy in improving depressive and anxiety symptoms among adults with depression.
DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS: Seven databases were searched from inception to November 14, 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies evaluating art therapy for adults with clinically diagnosed or screened depression were included. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction and quality assessment using Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 (RoB 2.0) and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were pooled using random-effects models, with subgroup and sensitivity analyses conducted to explore heterogeneity.
RESULTS: Fourteen studies (861 participants) were included in the systematic review, and 13 contributed data to the meta-analysis. Art therapy produced a significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared with control conditions (SMD = -0.69, 95% CI: -1.04 to -0.35; z = 3.92, p < 0.001). Effects on anxiety symptoms were small and not statistically significant. Exploratory subgroup analyses suggested larger effects in older adults, interventions lasting > 6 weeks, story therapy, individual formats and community settings. However, substantial heterogeneity and the inclusion of trials at risk of bias warrant cautious interpretation. Sensitivity analyses indicated stable results across model specifications.
CONCLUSION: Art therapy appears to be a promising intervention for improving depressive symptoms among adults with depression. In contrast, the result regarding anxiety outcomes is limited, with only three studies contributing data. High-quality studies with large samples, multiple centres and long follow-up durations should be performed to further reliably assess the treatment effects.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number: CRD420251229306.
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