The positive effect of art on mental and physical health

Frieze reported about a study which investigated how patients more easily stay on their treatment path. The World Health Organization says that the arts can even be more cost-effective than conventional treatment. The ‘Health Evidence Synthesis’ study, which drew on more than 900 publications studying the impact of the arts on health, split art’s impact on health into two themes: prevention and promotion, and management and treatment. Music was used to inspire ‘attitudes of independence and self-empowerment’ in helping HIV patients and art therapy sessions helped patients undergoing cancer treatment to reduce side-effects of drowsiness and depression.