Effects of arts on prescription for persons with common mental disorders and/or musculoskeletal pain: A controlled study with 12 months follow-up

Abstract

: Aims: Involvement in arts has shown potential to promote mental health. Thus, arts may be able to complement conventional healthcare to address common mental disorders (CMD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of a 10-week Arts on Prescription program regarding CMD (stress, anxiety, depression), compared to conventional healthcare. The study also aimed to examine whether CMD differed between groups. Methods: A quasi-experimental prospective design with intervention and control group and 6- and 12-month follow-up was used to evaluate an Arts on Prescription program in Sweden, focusing on the effects on stress, anxiety, and depression. Participants were on sick leave due to CMD and/or musculoskeletal pain. Data was collected using questionnaires. Results: The study population consisted of 479 participants (n = 247 intervention group, n = 232 control group). The result indicates a greater effect size (ŋ) in the intervention group compared to the control group for reduction in stress, anxiety, and depression at follow-up after 12 months. The difference in depression was significant. Conclusions: The results indicate AoP could be an adjunct to conventional healthcare interventions to address CMD, especially depression.

Keywords:

• culture activities
• mental health
• participatory arts
• social prescription

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to all participants that allocated time to answering the study’s questionnaires. We also want to thank Bo Rolander and Olle Eriksson, Futurum Academy for Health and Care, Region Jönköping County who have provided great support when processing the data. Additionally, Birgitta Ekeberg, Department of Public Health and Healthcare, Region Jönköping County and Jenny Melin, The Coordination Association Älv & Kust who aided with execution of the intervention group’s questionnaires.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical approval

The Regional Ethical Board approved the study in Linköping Sweden (Dnr 2017/13–31). Written informed consent was obtained from participants. The participants of this study did not give written consent for their data to be shared publicly, so due to the sensitive nature of the research supporting data is not available.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by grants from Futurum the Academy for Health Care, Jönköping County Council, Jönköping, Sweden.