Aims: Involvement in arts has shown potential to promote mental health. Thus, arts may be able to complement conventional healthcare to address common mental disorders (CMD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of a 10-week Arts on Prescription program regarding CMD (stress, anxiety, depression), compared to conventional healthcare. The study also aimed to examine whether CMD differed between groups.

Methods: A quasi-experimental prospective design with intervention and control group and 6- and 12-month follow-up was used to evaluate an Arts on Prescription program in Sweden, focusing on the effects on stress, anxiety, and depression. Participants were on sick leave due to CMD and/or musculoskeletal pain. Data was collected using questionnaires.

Results: The study population consisted of 479 participants (n=247 intervention group, n=232 control group). The result indicates a greater effect size (ŋ) in the intervention group compared to the control group for reduction in stress, anxiety, and depression at follow-up after 12 months. The difference in depression was significant.

Conclusions: The results indicate AoP could be an adjunct to conventional healthcare interventions to address CMD, especially depression.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term effects of an Arts on Prescription (AoP) programme on sense of coherence (SOC) in Sweden.

Design: A controlled intervention study with a quasi-experimental prospective design, including questionnaires at baseline, with follow-ups at 6 and 12 months. Participants were on sick leave due to common mental disorders (CMD) and/or non-specific musculoskeletal pain, recruited from primary care in six regions. The intervention group also included participants from open psychiatric care. The study sample comprised 586 participants (335 in the intervention group and 251 in the control group).

Results: Both groups showed a significantly stronger SOC at follow-up, with a medium effect size for the intervention group and a small effect size for the control group. No statistically significant difference in SOC change over time was observed between the groups. Participants from open psychiatric care in the intervention group showed a significant improvement in SOC compared to those from primary care. Concerns about finances had a significant main effect on SOC for the entire study population.

Originality: Unlike most AoP studies, this controlled study with a relatively large sample provides insights into the long-term effects of AoP on SOC, with results reported using p-values and effect sizes.

Arts on Referral (AoR) is a complementary intervention used to support people who are on sick leave due to common mental disorders (CMD) and/or musculoskeletal pain, challenging public health.

Aim: To deepen the understanding of how AoR works from a health-promoting perspective and how people with CMD and/or musculoskeletal pain experience AoR.

Design: The study adopted a qualitative approach. Thirty women (21–65 years old) participated in a total of five focus groups after the AoR intervention, which consisted of two sessions a week for ten weeks.

Findings: A qualitative content analysis of the focus group identified four categories: 1. Place of belonging including descriptions of social connectedness and understanding; 2. Experiences of AoR as a respite from demands; 3. Arts activities offering challenge and reward; and 4. Contributing to health-promoting changes. The findings were discussed in the light of Wenger’s concept of community of practice and Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of flow.

Value: This study describes how AoR contributed to health-promoting changes by offering a place of belonging, free from demands but still with opportunities to challenge oneself and explore new skills. Findings suggest that AoR can be helpful in improving mental wellbeing and feelings of belonging.