Creative Arts Occupations in Therapeutic Practice: A Review of the Literature

The purpose of this study was to conduct a matrix method literature review of published research on the use of creative arts occupations in therapeutic practice. Peer-reviewed original research articles, published between the years 2000 and 2008, were included in the review. The research articles studied creative arts occupations as a therapeutic medium. Twenty-three articles, located through multiple electronic searches, were identified as meeting the criteria of the review. Data analysis included quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis. The findings suggest that the use of creative arts occupations in therapeutic practice may have important qualitative value related to health and wellbeing. Six predominant outcomes were most frequently identified across the studies: enhanced perceived control, building a sense of self, expression, transforming the illness experience, gaining a sense of purpose and building social support. The results suggest that qualitative research may well be the methodology of choice for the study of this topic and raise questions about the paucity of research in this area. Further research into the use of creative arts occupations as a therapeutic approach in occupational therapy and other health and social care disciplines is warranted.