Online art therapy groups for young adults with cancer

The effectiveness of social-support-based weight-loss interventions-a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of social-support-based weight-loss interventions in adult populations with excess weight or obesity.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials that reported on the effectiveness of weight-loss interventions which incorporated a social connectedness component. To this end, we conducted a rigorous database search of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane, and PubMed for relevant articles. The quality of eligible trials was evaluated by the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias2 tool. Five meta-analyses on intervention effectiveness in terms of weight loss were executed at 2-4-month assessment, 6-month assessment, end of intervention, and 3- and 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Twenty-four trials involving couples or peers targeting weight loss in 4 919 adults with BMI ≥ 25 met inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses detected no significant effect of social-support-based weight-loss interventions at either 2-4 month or 6-month assessment. There were, however, significant effects at end of intervention [95% CI 0.39, p = 0.04] and at 3-month [95% CI 0.63, p < 0.01] and 6-month [95% CI 0.34, p = 0.05] follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

There seem to be a significant effect at the end of intervention and 3- and 6-month follow-up. However, further high-quality studies are needed before drawing any clear conclusions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020173696.

Online art therapy pilot in the Western Isles of Scotland: a feasibility and acceptability study of a novel service in a rural community

Introduction

Art therapy, despite being an evidence-based, safe and acceptable intervention, is not widely available to clients in Scotland. Online delivery has the potential to expand the reach and accessibility, but special considerations need to be given to designing successful online art therapy services, due to the unique emphasis on the role of an image and artmaking alongside the therapeutic relationship.

Methods

A pilot online art therapy service was developed and delivered in the Western Isles of Scotland to individual adult clients wishing to increase their psychological wellbeing. This research aimed to assess feasibility and acceptability of the novel service, identify enablers and challenges in setting up and delivering the service, explore participants' expectations and experiences of art therapy and identify any impacts of the service. Mixed-method evaluation incorporated questionnaires, focus groups, interviews and Audio Image Recordings (AIRs). Findings were grouped into themes across several key areas: service setup, research procedures, intervention design and impacts and insights. Recommendations were developed for the first three areas and the last section presents indications of change and gives voice to client experience primarily.

Results

Online art therapy was described by clients as a judgement-free zone which allowed freedom to experiment, express, feel and immerse themselves in the creative flow. Other benefits included readiness to accept emotions, increased understanding of self and others and being able to see things from a new perspective. Clients recognised the unique nature of art therapy in relation to other psychological treatments and valued the freedom of expression it offered, including the non-verbal.

Discussion

This project demonstrated that online art therapy is not only a feasible an acceptable intervention, but potentially also a powerfully impactful one, capable of instilling a positive change in a surprisingly short period of time. Exploring ways to expand current and introduce new art therapy services is highly recommended. Refinement of an intervention design, tools and research procedures is recommended through further feasibility studies of a larger scale.

Art Therapy in the Digital World: An Integrative Review of Current Practice and Future Directions

Background

Psychotherapy interventions increasingly utilize digital technologies to improve access to therapy and its acceptability. Opportunities that digital technology potentially creates for art therapy reach beyond increased access to include new possibilities of adaptation and extension of therapy tool box. Given growing interest in practice and research in this area, it is important to investigate how art therapists engage with digital technology or how (and whether) practice might be safely adapted to include new potential modes of delivery and new arts media.

Methods

An integrative review of peer-reviewed literature on the use of digital technology in art therapy was conducted. The methodology used is particularly well suited for early stage exploratory inquiries, allowing for close examination of papers from a variety of methodological paradigms. Only studies that presented empirical outcomes were included in the formal analysis.

Findings

Over 400 records were screened and 12 studies were included in the synthesis, pertaining to both the use of digital technology for remote delivery and as a medium for art making. Included studies, adopting predominantly qualitative and mixed methods, are grouped according to their focus on: art therapists’ views and experiences, online/distance art therapy, and the use of digital arts media. Recurring themes are discussed, including potential benefits and risks of incorporating digital technology in sessions with clients, concerns relating to ethics, resistance toward digital arts media, technological limitations and implications for therapeutic relationship and therapy process. Propositions for best practice and technological innovations that could make some of the challenges redundant are also reviewed. Future directions in research are indicated and cautious openness is recommended in both research and practice.

Conclusion

The review documents growing research illustrating increased use of digital technology by art therapists for both online delivery and digital art making. Potentially immense opportunities that technology brings for art therapy should be considered alongside limitations and challenges of clinical, pragmatic and ethical nature. The review aims to invite conversations and further research to explore ways in which technology could increase relevance and reach of art therapy without compromising clients’ safety and key principles of the profession.