Telehealth in arts therapies for neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders: a scoping review

Frontiers in Psychology, 2024 · DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1484726 · Published: December 18, 2024

Alternative Medicine Neurology Telehealth & Digital Health

Simple Explanation

Arts therapies, including art, music, drama, and dance movement therapy, have shown benefits for neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders (NNDs). Telehealth is being used to make these therapies more accessible, especially for those with mobility issues or in remote areas. Telehealth uses technology to provide healthcare services remotely. During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth became more popular, and arts therapies were increasingly offered this way. Telehealth in arts therapies helps people who can't easily attend in-person sessions. It offers flexibility and can be more affordable. Receiving therapy at home can also make patients feel safer.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Sample sizes ranged from 1 to 87 participants

Evidence Level

Scoping Review

Key Findings

1
Telehealth arts therapies show positive outcomes for individuals with NNDs, enhancing accessibility and providing psychological, emotional, social, and cognitive advantages.
2
Music therapy is the most widely studied art therapy modality in telehealth for NNDs, with interventions like therapeutic singing and songwriting being common.
3
Zoom is the primary platform used for telehealth arts therapies, with specific sound settings to maintain music and voice quality.

Research Summary

This scoping review examined the use of telehealth in arts therapies for neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders (NNDs). It looked at the types of disorders treated, the therapies used, the technologies employed, and the benefits of telehealth arts therapies. The review found that telehealth arts therapies, particularly music therapy, can improve emotional state, cognitive function, and social connectivity for individuals with NNDs. However, challenges remain, such as technological limitations and the need for standardized protocols. Further research is needed to explore the long-term sustainability of telehealth arts therapies, as well as their impact on caregiver burden and quality of life. Additional studies using high-quality qualitative methods and neuroimaging assessments are also recommended.

Practical Implications

Increased Accessibility

Telehealth expands access to arts therapies for individuals with mobility issues or those living in remote areas.

Versatile Interventions

The diverse interventions and tools used in telehealth demonstrate the adaptability of these modalities in remote settings.

Improved Well-being

Telehealth arts therapies can enhance emotional, social, and cognitive well-being for individuals with neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders.

Study Limitations

1
The review did not systematically evaluate the quality of the included studies.
2
The articles reviewed were restricted to those written in English.
3
Studies that did not involve qualified professionals were excluded.

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