
Stephen is Professor Emeritus, at Sidney de Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, Canterbury Christ Church University, as well as Visiting Professor, for the International Centre for Community Music, York St John University

The last twenty-five years has seen a remarkable growth of research on the potential contribution of arts, music and cultural engagement for health and wellbeing. This is reflected in major evidence reviews funded by the World Health Organisation and the European Commission, national government departments, arts councils and arts and health bodies throughout the world. A general consensus has emerged that both receptive and active involvement in arts, music and cultural activities is good for our general wellbeing and our mental and physical health. Some argue that arts, music and cultural engagement can protect and promote health and can contribute to health care and rehabilitation in hospital settings and the community. Particular interest has focused on performing arts, such as singing and dance, in supporting older people with long-term conditions, including lung disease, Parkinson’s, dementia, and chronic pain. Nevertheless, there is need for caution, and in this presentation, I will argue that it is essential that we approach such claims with an appropriate degree of scepticism. I will present findings from recent exercises in the critical appraisal of primary studies, cited in recent major evidence reviews. The results show that exaggerated claims have been made for the effectiveness of arts interventions for health and raise the prospect of an impending crisis in the field.