Art therapy in eating disorders. A systematic review of literature

Introduction Art-therapy (encompassing plastic arts, music, theather and writing) is a promising and acceptable management strategy of eating disorders (ED). It has the potential to improve well-being and therapeutic alliance, targeting psychological dimensions of ED, and dealing with difficulties...

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Main Authors: F. Trably, P. Gorwood, L. Di Lodovico
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2022-06-01
Series:European Psychiatry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822004059/type/journal_article
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author F. Trably
P. Gorwood
L. Di Lodovico
author_facet F. Trably
P. Gorwood
L. Di Lodovico
author_sort F. Trably
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Art-therapy (encompassing plastic arts, music, theather and writing) is a promising and acceptable management strategy of eating disorders (ED). It has the potential to improve well-being and therapeutic alliance, targeting psychological dimensions of ED, and dealing with difficulties of expression and rationalization of patients. Nevertheless, the efficacy of this approach is difficult to evaluate because of the lack of studies in this area. Objectives We sought to provide an overview on the efficacy of art therapy in the management of ED, by a systematic review of all controlled trials using art therapy on patients with ED. Methods This systematic review included all controlled trials using art-therapy on a population of adolescent and adult patients with ED. The effect of art therapy on clinical indicators such as anthropometric variables, symptoms and dimensions of ED was evaluated. Results Of the 1286 screened records, only four respected inclusion criteria. These four trials evaluated plastic art therapy, music therapy, writing therapy, and dance-movement therapy. A large number of bias and strong heterogeneity of inclusion criteria, techniques and variables prevented any attempt of quantitative synthesis. Music therapy appeared to have a significant effect on post-prandial anxiety, while dance-movement therapy showed an effect on body dissatisfaction. Conclusions The generalizability of the results found is weakened by the high heterogeneity of trials. Replication studies and a rigorous methodologies are necessary for more reliable conclusions. Art therapy could help improving some specific dimensions of ED. Disclosure No significant relationships.
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spelling doaj.art-aa6503fc34144a48ae9e10cd622466f52023-11-17T05:07:13ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852022-06-0165S151S15110.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.405Art therapy in eating disorders. A systematic review of literatureF. Trably0P. Gorwood1L. Di Lodovico2GHU Paris Psychiatrie, Clinique Des Maladies Mentales Et De L’encéphale, Paris, FranceGHU Paris Psychiatrie, Clinique Des Maladies Mentales Et De L’encéphale, Paris, FranceGHU Paris Psychiatrie, Clinique Des Maladies Mentales Et De L’encéphale, Paris, France Introduction Art-therapy (encompassing plastic arts, music, theather and writing) is a promising and acceptable management strategy of eating disorders (ED). It has the potential to improve well-being and therapeutic alliance, targeting psychological dimensions of ED, and dealing with difficulties of expression and rationalization of patients. Nevertheless, the efficacy of this approach is difficult to evaluate because of the lack of studies in this area. Objectives We sought to provide an overview on the efficacy of art therapy in the management of ED, by a systematic review of all controlled trials using art therapy on patients with ED. Methods This systematic review included all controlled trials using art-therapy on a population of adolescent and adult patients with ED. The effect of art therapy on clinical indicators such as anthropometric variables, symptoms and dimensions of ED was evaluated. Results Of the 1286 screened records, only four respected inclusion criteria. These four trials evaluated plastic art therapy, music therapy, writing therapy, and dance-movement therapy. A large number of bias and strong heterogeneity of inclusion criteria, techniques and variables prevented any attempt of quantitative synthesis. Music therapy appeared to have a significant effect on post-prandial anxiety, while dance-movement therapy showed an effect on body dissatisfaction. Conclusions The generalizability of the results found is weakened by the high heterogeneity of trials. Replication studies and a rigorous methodologies are necessary for more reliable conclusions. Art therapy could help improving some specific dimensions of ED. Disclosure No significant relationships. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822004059/type/journal_articlePsychotherapyEating Disorderssystematic reviewart therapy
spellingShingle F. Trably
P. Gorwood
L. Di Lodovico
Art therapy in eating disorders. A systematic review of literature
European Psychiatry
Psychotherapy
Eating Disorders
systematic review
art therapy
title Art therapy in eating disorders. A systematic review of literature
title_full Art therapy in eating disorders. A systematic review of literature
title_fullStr Art therapy in eating disorders. A systematic review of literature
title_full_unstemmed Art therapy in eating disorders. A systematic review of literature
title_short Art therapy in eating disorders. A systematic review of literature
title_sort art therapy in eating disorders a systematic review of literature
topic Psychotherapy
Eating Disorders
systematic review
art therapy
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822004059/type/journal_article
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