The need for a critical perspective on arts and health research and evidence reviews
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We present details of six exercises in robust critique of arts and health research and evidence reviews. These identify limitations in the critical treatment of primary studies in the 2019 World Health Organization review of arts and health, and the 2023 CultureForHealth review supported by the European Union. Limitations in randomised controlled trials on creative arts therapy interventions, and evidence reviews that include them are also identified. It is shown that even meticulously conducted systematic reviews, Cochrane reviews and meta-analyses are not free from a lack of critical perspective. A careful analysis of a quasi-experimental study of singing and benefits for health reveals severe limitations, and the failure of subsequent evidence reviews, including systematic reviews, to recognise the study’s lack of scientific credibility.
