Digital art therapy for emotional well-being in adults with cancer: A scoping review of digital health interventions

Abstract

Background: Emotional distress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among adults with cancer. Digital art therapy (DAT), encompassing immersive, musical, visual, and narrative digital modalities, has emerged as a potential approach to expand access to creative psychosocial interventions; however, the evidence base remains fragmented and methodologically heterogeneous. Objective: This scoping review aimed to map the characteristics, digital design features, and reported psychosocial outcomes of DAT interventions targeting anxiety and depression in adults with cancer. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews and the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological framework. Electronic databases were searched through August 2025 for studies evaluating digitally delivered art-based interventions in adult oncology populations. Data on intervention modality, study design, sample size, outcome measures, effect estimates, and feasibility indicators were extracted and synthesized descriptively. Results: Ten studies (2016–2025; N = 434) were included, comprising randomized controlled trials (n = 6), quasi-experimental studies (n = 1), mixed-methods studies (n = 1), and qualitative or developmental studies (n = 2). Interventions included immersive virtual reality, digital music therapy, online visual art programs, and digital storytelling. Most studies were early-phase with small to moderate samples and short follow-up. Reported reductions in anxiety and distress ranged from small to very large (Cohen's d ≈ 0.24–2.38; η2 ≈ 0.25). Larger effects were primarily observed in small or pilot trials involving multi-session, therapist-guided or immersive interventions, often measured immediately post-intervention or within short follow-up intervals. Conclusions: DAT appears feasible and acceptable, with preliminary evidence of psychosocial benefit. However, effect magnitudes are context-dependent, and adequately powered randomized trials with longer-term follow-up are needed to clarify clinical effectiveness.