[Participation in art and cultural activities has a positive effect on somatic illnesses].

The increasing international research into the use of arts and cultural activities in clinical contexts documents a number of beneficial effects in relation to many illness and diagnoses. A systematic review has identified a large number of studies documenting that art, culture and creative activities can have a positive effect on both mental and physical health. In this article, selected results are presented with the purpose of drawing attention to the possibilities for non-pharmacological methods, which are increasingly available, also in Denmark.