Coloring the journey: The transformative impact of art therapy on cancer patients' well-being

Abstract

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality globally, and a range of physical, psychological and emotional symptoms can accompany it. Over the past years, due to its global prevalence and associated health challenges, novel therapeutic approaches have been introduced to the healthcare system. In this regard, supportive and palliative care has been proposed as an effective field that has significantly progressed in cancer management and symptom reduction. Particularly, art therapy, as a supportive and palliative care approach, plays an important role in controlling and reducing symptoms in cancer management. It has a significant impact in enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients and improving social functioning. It fosters emotional expression and coping mechanisms, alleviating distress associated with the disease. Moreover, art therapy has a deep influence on various aspects of the patients' life, and greatly enhances their quality of life, motivating them to improve their social functioning. The extended impact of art therapy affects family members, close relatives, and caregivers who might also use it as a means to work through positive effects at numerous stages of the cancer journey. In this regard, further research is warranted to optimize its integration into standard cancer care practices. Please cite this article as: Arjmand B, Mehran P, Mirzaei A, Najafi K, Najafi L, Hojjat-Assari S. Coloring the journey: The transformative impact of art therapy on cancer patients' well-being. J Integr Med. 2026; 24(1):24-32.

Keywords: Art therapy; Cancer; Palliative care; Supportive care.