The Effects of Arts-Based Interventions in the Treatment and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases: An Umbrella Review and Meta-Analyses
Tracks
Stream One
| Saturday, October 18, 2025 |
| 10:30 AM - 10:50 AM |
| Centre Stage 1 |
Overview
Professor Felicity Baker
Speaker
Professor Felicity Baker
The University Of Melbourne
The Effects of Arts-Based Interventions in the Treatment and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases: An Umbrella Review and Meta-Analyses
Abstract
Introduction
In navigating the complex landscape of healthcare, arts interventions demonstrate both impact and innovation, offering new possibilities for managing the challenges of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This landmark study synthesises evidence to guide practice, inform policy, and highlight the role of arts interventions (including music) in shaping person-centred and adaptive healthcare.
Methods
We searched major databases between database inception and 7 September 2023. We included systematic reviews (SR) with meta-analyses that summarised the effects of arts-based interventions (including music) on psychological, physical, cognitive functioning, or quality of life outcomes in people with cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic respiratory disease (CRD), diabetes, mental health conditions, or neurological conditions. Overall effect sizes (ES) were calculated for each NCD population as well as across the four outcome domains, supplemented with subgroup analysis on study-, outcome-, and intervention variables. We assessed methodological quality using the Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews-2 checklist.
Results
Our search resulted in 3,885 unique citations, of which 150 SR (including 576 ES) were included in our analyses. Music and dance interventions contributed 86.6% of ES estimates. We found a small-to-medium overall effect for neurological conditions (SMD 0.40, 95% CI 0.30–0.50) and medium effects for cancer (SMD 0.52, 95% CI 0.38–0.66), CVD (SMD 0.52, 95% CI 0.35–0.71), mental health conditions (SMD 0.53, 95% CI 0.39–0.68), and CRD (SMD 0.76, 95% CI 0.38–1.13). Most reviews were of low methodological quality. Our presentation will zoom in on the results of music-based interventions, including music therapy.
Discussion/ Conclusion
Our findings indicate that people with NCDs may benefit from arts-based interventions for physical, psychological, cognitive functioning and QoL outcomes. Therefore, arts-based interventions may be a valuable addition to traditionally first-line treatments such as psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies, driving forward innovation and impact in the care of those living with NCDs.
In navigating the complex landscape of healthcare, arts interventions demonstrate both impact and innovation, offering new possibilities for managing the challenges of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This landmark study synthesises evidence to guide practice, inform policy, and highlight the role of arts interventions (including music) in shaping person-centred and adaptive healthcare.
Methods
We searched major databases between database inception and 7 September 2023. We included systematic reviews (SR) with meta-analyses that summarised the effects of arts-based interventions (including music) on psychological, physical, cognitive functioning, or quality of life outcomes in people with cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic respiratory disease (CRD), diabetes, mental health conditions, or neurological conditions. Overall effect sizes (ES) were calculated for each NCD population as well as across the four outcome domains, supplemented with subgroup analysis on study-, outcome-, and intervention variables. We assessed methodological quality using the Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews-2 checklist.
Results
Our search resulted in 3,885 unique citations, of which 150 SR (including 576 ES) were included in our analyses. Music and dance interventions contributed 86.6% of ES estimates. We found a small-to-medium overall effect for neurological conditions (SMD 0.40, 95% CI 0.30–0.50) and medium effects for cancer (SMD 0.52, 95% CI 0.38–0.66), CVD (SMD 0.52, 95% CI 0.35–0.71), mental health conditions (SMD 0.53, 95% CI 0.39–0.68), and CRD (SMD 0.76, 95% CI 0.38–1.13). Most reviews were of low methodological quality. Our presentation will zoom in on the results of music-based interventions, including music therapy.
Discussion/ Conclusion
Our findings indicate that people with NCDs may benefit from arts-based interventions for physical, psychological, cognitive functioning and QoL outcomes. Therefore, arts-based interventions may be a valuable addition to traditionally first-line treatments such as psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies, driving forward innovation and impact in the care of those living with NCDs.
Biography
Felicity is RMT, Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Fine Arts/Music, The University of Melbourne, having accumulated more than $19M in grant funding, authoring more 200+ high impact interdisciplinary journals. Over the past decade she has led large interdisciplinary clinical trials. She was awarded the Marles Medal for Research Impact (2023).
