Arts & Culture Provide Direct Health Benefits
Participation in arts and cultural activities is increasingly associated with improved health and well-being, healthier aging, and stronger communities. Many arts- and culture-based strategies provide direct and immediate health benefits, such as:
- increased physical activity
- stress-reduction
- increased social cohesion and reduced loneliness
- better coping with chronic conditions
- increased happiness and wellbeing
Participatory dance programs like Dance for PD® offer people – in this case people with Parkinson’s disease - connections that reduce isolation and loneliness, while also providing direct, measurable physical and mental health benefits.
Outcomes associated with providing direct health benefits:
- Enhanced immune response
Kuhn D. (2002). The effects of active and passive participation in musical activity on the immune system as measured by salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA). Journal of Music Therapy, 39(1), 30-39. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/39.1.30
Núñez, M. J., Mañá, P., Liñares, D., Riveiro, M. P., Balboa, J., Suárez-Quintanilla, J., Maracchi, M., Méndez, M. R., López, J. M., & Freire-Garabal, M. (2002). Music, immunity and cancer. Life Sciences, 71(9), 1047-1057. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0024-3205(02)01796-4
Fancourt, D., Ockelford, A., & Belai, A. (2014). The Psychoneuroimmunological effects of music: A systematic review and a new model. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 36, 15-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2013.10
Burrai, F., Hasan, W., Luppi, M., & Micheluzzi, V. (2018). A conceptual framework encompassing the psychoneuroimmunoendocrinological influences of listening to music in patients with heart failure. Holistic Nursing Practice, 32(2), 81–89. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000253
- Enhanced coping and emotional regulation
Derman, Y. E., & Deatrick, J. A. (2016). Promotion of well-being during treatment for childhood cancer: a literature review of art interventions as a coping strategy. Cancer Nursing, 39(6), E1-16. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCC.0000000000000318
Pezzin, L. E., Larson, E. R., Lorber, W., McGinley, E. L., & Dillingham, T. R. (2018). Music-instruction intervention for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder: a randomized pilot study. BMC Psychology, 6(1), 60. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-018-0274-8
Rollins, J., & King, E. (2015). Promoting coping for children of hospitalized service members with combat injuries through creative arts engagement. Arts & Health, 7(2), 109-122. https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2015.1019707
- Reduced loneliness and isolation
Poscia, A., Stojanovic, J., La Milia, D. I., Duplaga, M., Grysztar, M., Moscato, U., Onderc, G., Collamatia, A., Ricciardiad, W., & Magnavitaa, N. (2018). Interventions targeting loneliness and social isolation among the older people: an update systematic review. Experimental Gerontology, 102, 133-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2017.11.017
Tymoszuk, U., Perkins, R., Fancourt, D., & Williamon, A. (2019). Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between receptive arts engagement and loneliness among older adults. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-019-01764-0
Pearce, R., & Lillyman, S. (2015). Reducing social isolation in a rural community through participation in creative arts projects. Nurs Older People, 27(10), 33-8. https://doi.org/10.7748/nop.27.10.33.s22
- Longevity
Fancourt, D., & Steptoe, A. (2019). The art of life and death: 14 year follow-up analyses of associations between arts engagement and mortality in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. BMJ, 367. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l6377
Kattenstroth, J. C., Kolankowska, I., Kalisch, T., & Dinse, H. R. (2010). Superior sensory, motor, and cognitive performance in elderly individuals with multi-year dancing activities. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2, 31. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2010.00031
Bygren, L. O., Konlaan, B. B., & Johansson, S. E. (1996). Attendance at cultural events, reading books or periodicals, and making music or singing in a choir as determinants for survival: Swedish interview survey of living conditions. BMJ, 313(7072), 1577-1580. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.313.7072.1577
- Reduced stress
de Witte, M., Spruit, A., van Hooren, S., Moonen, X., & Stams, G. J. (2019). Effects of music interventions on stress-related outcomes: a systematic review and two meta-analyses. Health psychology review, 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2019.1627897
van Willenswaard, K. C., Lynn, F., McNeill, J., McQueen, K., Dennis, C. L., Lobel, M., & Alderdice, F. (2017). Music interventions to reduce stress and anxiety in pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC psychiatry, 17(1), 271. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1432-x
Finn, S., & Fancourt, D. (2018). The biological impact of listening to music in clinical and nonclinical settings: A systematic review. Progress in Brain Research, 237, 173-200. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.03.007
- Enhanced memory and cognition
Beard, R. L. (2012). Art therapies and dementia care: A systematic review. Dementia, 11(5), 633-656. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301211421090
Pedersen, S., Andersen, P. N., Lugo, R. G., Andreassen, M., & Sütterlin, S. (2017). Effects of music on agitation in dementia: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 742. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00742
Sarkamo, T., Tervaniemi, M., Laitinen, S., Forsblom, A., Soinila, S., Mikkonen, M., Autti, T., Silvennoinen, H. M., Erkkilä, J., Laine, M., Peretz, I., & Hietanen, M. (2008). Music listening enhances cognitive recovery and mood after middle cerebral artery stroke. Brain, 131(3), 866-876.https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awn013
- Enhanced self-efficacy
Fancourt, D., Finn, S., Warran, K., & Wiseman, T. (2019). Group singing in bereavement: effects on mental health, self-efficacy, self-esteem and well-being. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2018-001642
McRae, C., Leventhal, D., Westheimer, O., Mastin, T., Utley, J., & Russell, D. (2017). Long-term effects of dance for PD on self-efficacy among persons with Parkinson’s disease. Arts & Health, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2017.1326390
Varela, W., Abrami, P. C., & Upitis, R. (2014). Self-regulation and music learning: A systematic review. Psychology of Music, 44(1), 55-74. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735614554639
- Reduced cardiovascular reactivity
Hardcastle, S. J., McNamara, K., & Tritton, L. (2015). Using visual methods to understand physical activity maintenance following cardiac rehabilitation. PLOS One, 10(9). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0138218
Haiblum-Itskovitch, S., Czamanski-Cohen, J., & Galili, G. (2018). Emotional response and changes in heart rate variability following art-making with three different art materials. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 968. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00968
- Increased exercise
Clark, I. N., Taylor, N. F., & Baker, F. (2012). Music interventions and physical activity in older adults: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 44, 710-719. https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-1025
Burkhardt, J. & Brennan, C. (2012). The effects of recreational dance interventions on the health and well-being of children and young people: A systematic review. Arts & Health, 4(2), 148-161. https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2012.665810
Bowles, L., Curtis, J., Davies, C., Lengerich, A., & Bugajski, A. (2019). The effect of music on mood, motivation, and exercise among patients in a cardiac rehabilitation program: A pilot study. Nursing Forum, 54(3), 340–344. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12334
- Adoption of healthier behaviors
Pleasant, A., Quadros, A., Pereira-Leon, M. & Cabe, J. (2014). A qualitative look at the Arts for Behavior Change Program: Theater for Health. Arts & Health, 7(1), 54-64. https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2014.930916
Cameron, M., Crane, N., Ings, R., & Taylor, K. (2013). Promoting well-being through creativity: How arts and public health can learn from each other. Perspectives in Public Health, 133(1), 52–59. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757913912466951
Barne M. (2017). Can colour stimulate intake in older population groups?. British Journal of Community Nursing, 22(7), S11-S12. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2017.22.Sup7.S11
- Improved treatment and management of health conditions
Jensen, A., & Bonde, L. O. (2018). The use of arts interventions for mental health and wellbeing in health settings. Perspectives in Public Health, 138(4), 209-214. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757913918772602
Martin-Saavedra, J. S., Vergara-Mendez, L. D., & Talero-Gutiérrez, C. (2018). Music is an effective intervention for the management of pain: An umbrella review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 32, 103-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.06.003
McRae, C., Leventhal, D., Westheimer, O., Mastin, T., Utley, J., & Russell, D. (2018). Long-term effects of Dance for PD® on self-efficacy among persons with Parkinson’s disease. Arts & Health, 10(1), 85-96. https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2017.1326390
Mandel, S. E., Davis, B. A., & Secic, M. (2019). Patient satisfaction and benefits of music therapy services to manage stress and pain in the hospital emergency department. Journal of Music Therapy, 56(2), 149-173. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/thz001
- Wellness/Prevention (reduced burden on primary and emergency care systems, less healthcare seeking)
Kellezi, B., Wakefield, J. R. H., Stevenson, C., McNamara, N., Mair, E., Bowe, M., Wilson, I., & Halder, M. M. (2019). The social cure of social prescribing: a mixed-methods study on the benefits of social connectedness on quality and effectiveness of care provision. BMJ Open, 9(11). http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033137
Burkhardt, J. & Brennan, C. (2012). The effects of recreational dance interventions on the health and well-being of children and young people: A systematic review. Arts & Health, 4(2), 148-161. https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2012.665810
Fancourt, D., & Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being?A scoping review (2019). World Health Organization (WHO). https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/329834/9789289054553-eng.pdf
- Wellbeing and thriving
Curtis, A., Gibson, L., O'Brien, M., & Roe, B. (2018). Systematic review of the impact of arts for health activities on health, wellbeing and quality of life of older people living in care homes. Dementia, 17(6), 645–669. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301217740960
Mansfield, L., Kay, T., Meads, C., Grigsby-Duffy, L., Lane, J., John, A., Daykin, N., Dolan, P., Testoni, S., Julier, G., Payne, A., Tomlinson, A., & Victor, C. (2018). Sport and dance interventions for healthy young people (15–24 years) to promote subjective well-being: a systematic review. BMJ Open, 8(7), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020959
Jensen, A., & Bonde, L. O. (2018). The use of arts interventions for mental health and wellbeing in health settings. Perspectives in Public Health, 138(4), 209-214. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757913918772602
Ennis, G. M., & Tonkin, J. (2018). ‘It’s like exercise for your soul’: how participation in youth arts activities contributes to young people’s wellbeing. Journal of Youth Studies, 21(3), 340-359. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2017.1380302
Acknowledgements: We would like to thank Cris Sanhueza and the UF Center for Arts in Medicine Interdisciplinary Research Lab for their support in curating the articles within this online tool.