Quantitative evidence for wellbeing benefits from a heritage-in-health intervention with hospital patients

Abstract

The benefits of a heritage-in-health intervention were assessed using clinically accepted psychometric measures of wellbeing and happiness. Positive outcomes of arts-in-health activities are well documented and reviewed yet little empirical research has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of heritage-in-health activities. The research drew upon art therapy, psychology and education for a conceptual framework. General healthcare patients participated in one-to-one, facilitated sessions of around 40 minutes that involved discussing factual and emotional properties of a selection of museum objects. Questions followed a standardised protocol with a semi-structured interview format. In the experimental group, participants handled the objects (tactile condition) whereas in the comparison group, participants looked at pictures of these objects (visual condition). Baseline and intervention self-report measures (Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale and Visual Analogue Scales) were used to evaluate the sessions. Quantitative comparison of pre- and post-session scores showed significant increases in wellbeing and happiness and an advantage for the tactile condition over the visual condition. Museum object handling sessions appeared to produce therapeutic effects on patient welfare, at least in the short term. Findings add weight to the need for provision of heritage-focused activities by museums and galleries for excluded audiences in healthcare settings.

Keywords:

• Happiness
• healthcare
• heritage
• measures
• museum object
• wellbeing