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Open research questions in Art Therapy and Mental Health

202 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 2,127 Art Therapy and Mental Health papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • The lack of understanding of the philosophical grounds for integrating art and spirituality in healthcare. The need for innovative approaches to spiritual support in healthcare due to growing religious plurality. The importance of addressing health inequities through arts-based spiritual support.

    Interrogating the philosophical grounds for advancing equity-oriented arts-based spiritual support in Canadian healthcare · 2026 · DOI

  • development of a future type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial that tests the Enhanced Social Prescribing intervention for cancer survivors with loneliness on a larger scale

    An adapted enhanced social prescribing intervention vs. usual care in the treatment of loneliness in cancer survivors: Study protocol for a feasibility pilot randomized controlled trial · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of interventions adapted to meet the needs and preferences of cancer survivors. The need for effective interventions to address loneliness in cancer survivors. The limited understanding of the effectiveness of social prescribing interventions for cancer survivors.

    An adapted enhanced social prescribing intervention vs. usual care in the treatment of loneliness in cancer survivors: Study protocol for a feasibility pilot randomized controlled trial · 2026 · DOI

  • No PRISMA checklist developed for integrative reviews, - Limited to studies published during or after the year 2000, - Only includes studies from peer-review journals or other credible sources

    Relationships between arts participation, social cohesion, and well-being: an integrative review of evidence · 2025 · DOI

  • Further investigation of the relationships between arts participation, social cohesion, and well-being, - Exploration of the impact of arts participation on social cohesion in different community contexts

    Relationships between arts participation, social cohesion, and well-being: an integrative review of evidence · 2025 · DOI

  • Investigation of the impact of AI on art therapy practice, - Research on the role of AI in the therapy process

    Art psychotherapy meets creative AI: an integrative review positioning the role of creative AI in art therapy process · 2025 · DOI

  • The impact of creative AI on art psychotherapy practice is not well understood. There is a need for a constructive dialogue between the disciplines of creative AI and art psychotherapy.

    Art psychotherapy meets creative AI: an integrative review positioning the role of creative AI in art therapy process · 2025 · DOI

  • The complexity of Parkinson's disease and its multifaceted symptoms. The need for innovative interventions that address the unique needs of individuals with PD. The challenge of establishing a dynamic learning environment that allows individuals with PD to actively shape their care program.

    Co-creating a person-centered creative engagement intervention for Parkinson's care · 2025 · DOI

  • Small sample size, - Limited to individuals with PD, - Exclusion of individuals with cognitive impairment (MoCA score < 18)

    Co-creating a person-centered creative engagement intervention for Parkinson's care · 2025 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in the existing literature on telehealth in arts therapies for individuals with neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders. The study aims to provide an overview of the existing literature on this topic.

    Telehealth in arts therapies for neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders: a scoping review · 2024 · DOI

  • further research is needed to explore the effectiveness of telehealth in arts therapies for individuals with neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders, - research should investigate the impact of telehealth on different modalities of arts therapies, - studies should examine the long-term effects of telehealth in arts therapies

    Telehealth in arts therapies for neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders: a scoping review · 2024 · DOI

  • Future research could focus on incorporating Ecopsychology philosophy into the entire institution rather than adding on a single adjunctive group.

    Helping Older Adults Adjust to Assisted Living: An Eco-Art Therapy Approach · 2026 · DOI

  • Sparse information exists regarding the role of an art therapist within these organizations.

    International Art Therapy Program Development: An Exploratory Cultural Encounter in Ayacucho, Peru · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research should examine how and in what ways particular cohorts access, or not, these sorts of pathways, the economic impact, and examine any potential risks or harms that might be associated with CYP-SP.

    The use of social prescribing and community-based wellbeing activities as a potential prevention and early intervention pathway to improve adolescent emotional and social development: a systematic mapping review · 2025 · DOI

  • College students face increasing psychological health challenges, yet effective emotion regulation interventions remain understudied.

    Effects of electroencephalography-based art therapy on emotion regulation difficulties, psychological well-being, relaxation and attention levels among college students · 2025 · DOI

  • Social prescribing (SP), a non-medical intervention connecting individuals to community resources, is gaining traction in child and youth wellbeing research, though empirical evidence remains limited.

    Social prescriptions for advancing resilience in kids (SPARK): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial · 2025 · DOI

  • Art therapy, especially hands-on creative activities, is considered an effective means of regulating anxiety, yet research on virtual reality (VR) sculpting remains relatively scarce.

    VR sculpting as a therapeutic intervention for alleviating anxiety: a case study from a university art class · 2025 · DOI

  • Future research should consider longer intervention periods and more varied measures to further investigate the long-term effectiveness and broader applicability of this approach.

    VR sculpting as a therapeutic intervention for alleviating anxiety: a case study from a university art class · 2025 · DOI

  • Despite growing evidence on participatory art interventions, limited studies have used a mixed-methods approach to examine their effects.

    Mental Health Recovery Process Through Art: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Multi-Center Study of an Art-Based Community Project · 2025 · DOI

  • Future research should examine long-term effects and gender-sensitive approaches.

    Mental Health Recovery Process Through Art: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Multi-Center Study of an Art-Based Community Project · 2025 · DOI

  • However, little is known about how this co-productive relationship influences or is influenced by value co-creation at different levels, given the involvement of multiple actors in delivering the intervention.

    A service ecosystems perspective to explore social prescribing value co-creation for vulnerable young people in NEET situation · 2025 · DOI

  • Further research in using com puters and creativity software, with children, adolescents, adults, and older populations with emotional and physical problems need to be explored.

    The Therapeutic Effects of Combining Apple Macintosh Computers and Creativity Software in Art Therapy Sessions · 1987 · DOI

  • The paper identifies a gap in the understanding of the potential of social prescribing to address health inequalities, particularly in the context of heritage-led wellbeing activities. The paper highlights the need for further research on the effectiveness of social prescribing in addressing health inequalities.

    Heritage and Social Prescribing - Historic England's learnings from pilots and collaborative work across sectors 2023-2024 · 2026 · DOI

  • The project faced challenges in measuring wellbeing scores in a small sample size. The project had to balance the needs of different stakeholders, including students, volunteers, and individuals with poor mental health.

    The Later Prehistoric Norfolk Project: Wellbeing, Art and Archaeology · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of understanding of the benefits of archaeological fieldwork on wellbeing. There is a need for novel approaches to improving health and wellbeing in community-based settings.

    The Later Prehistoric Norfolk Project: Wellbeing, Art and Archaeology · 2026 · DOI

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202 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 2,127 Art Therapy and Mental Health papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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