The Healing Power of Art on Physical and Mental Health

Christopher Bailey, a coordinator for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Arts & Health program, presented evidence on the health benefits of art during “The Art of Healing” festival at Erasmus University in Rotterdam. According to Bailey and a 2019 WHO report, art can reduce stress, slow aging, and lower the risk of depression, dementia, and cardiovascular disease.

The event featured demonstrations of how creative practices assist patient recovery. Bailey noted that the specific rhythm of songs like “Happy Birthday” can help Parkinson’s patients synchronize their pace.

Tineke Abma, a professor of elderly participation at Leiden University and special professor of art and care at Erasmus University, stated that art can “heal” even if it cannot “cure.” Abma reported that experiencing or creating art can trigger the release of happiness hormones and increase cytokines, which are immune substances.

How does art impact physical and mental health?

Physical responses to art include a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol, according to Tineke Abma. Abma noted that these effects occur whether a person is practicing art or visiting a museum or concert.

Artist Nieke Koek, who works with Amsterdam UMC, uses clay to help patients visualize their pain. Koek reported that some patients have seen their chronic pain disappear after precisely mapping the pain’s location and shape in clay.

In Rotterdam, the Shadows United collective uses shadow theater to help people without residence papers. Coordinator Anita van Ast stated that participants, many of whom live in “survival mode,” often become calmer through the process. Van Ast noted there are approximately 10,000 people without residence papers in Rotterdam alone.

What barriers prevent art from being integrated into healthcare?

Funding for art initiatives remains primarily project-based, according to former State Secretary of Health Jet Bussemaker. Bussemaker stated that rigid healthcare protocols and traditional measurement methods often exclude the effects of art.

Loes Mulder, Secretary-General at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, argued that art funding in healthcare should not be viewed as a “charity action” or an “extra.” Mulder stated that art is a tool to address fundamental life questions in care.

A strategy document published in March noted that while art and health is an established field internationally, it remains “fragmented” in the Netherlands. This fragmentation means the growing potential of the sector is currently underutilized.

What may happen next for art-based therapy?

Healthcare may shift toward a more holistic view of the body, moving away from strict specialization and efficiency. This could lead to a greater focus on prevention and general health rather than just treating illness, according to Tineke Abma.

Research into specific therapies could expand. Marloes Shami-van Houten, a social scientist and dance theater maker, is currently researching the impact of dance on young women with cancer. This study, led by Abma, uses diaries to track how dance helps women express anger and joy and redefine themselves beyond their diagnosis.

If funding models shift away from project-based grants, art-based interventions could become a standard part of person-centered care protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can art cure medical diseases?
According to Tineke Abma, art cannot cure, but it can heal.

What physical markers change when people engage with art?
Tineke Abma stated that happiness hormones and cytokines may increase, while the stress hormone cortisol decreases.

Why is art-based care fragmented in the Netherlands?
According to a March strategy document, the field is fragmented and underutilized despite being well-established internationally.

How do you think creative arts could change the experience of visiting a hospital?