Effectiveness of Various Art Therapies in Reducing Depression Among Children, Adolescents, and the Elderly Population: A Narrative Literature Review

A BSTRACT Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions globally, affecting children, adolescents, and elders. Among adolescents, it is associated with poor academic performance, impaired social functioning, and increased suicide risk. Among elders, depression is often exacerbated by physical deterioration, social role changes, and limited family or community support. Although psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy remain first-line treatments, they face challenges such as poor adherence, stigma, and potential adverse drug reactions, particularly in vulnerable age groups. These limitations highlight the need for adjunct complementary and low-risk therapeutic options. Using evidence from randomized controlled trials, this narrative review explores the effectiveness of art therapies in reducing depressive symptoms across various age groups and their adjunctive use in conventional psychiatric treatment. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, One Nation One Subscription, and Google Scholar. Seventeen studies indicated that art therapy effectively reduces depressive symptoms across age groups. Interventions, including painting and mandala drawing, improved emotional expression, whereas music therapy enhanced social interaction and cognitive functioning. Clay-based and group art activities further reduced loneliness, enhanced fine motor skills, and promoted a sense of accomplishment. Collectively, evidence supports art therapy as a culturally adaptable, engaging and low-risk strategy. This review has limitations, including the absence of meta-analysis and a formal Cochrane risk of bias assessment. The review was restricted to studies published between January 2000 and 31 August 2025. Future research should incorporate structured art therapy protocols, mixed-method approaches, comparative studies, long-term follow-ups, and policy initiatives to integrate art therapy into routine mental health care.