The therapeutic functions of poetry in mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Poetry therapy whether using reading, writing, or discussing poems in a therapeutic context, is increasingly applied in mental and physical health care, yet its empirical support remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of poetry-based interventions across psychiatric and somatic outcomes.

METHODS

PubMed and Google Scholar were searched up to November 2023 for original studies evaluating poetry-based interventions on mental or physical health outcomes. Studies in English or French using individual or group poetry activities were eligible. Fifteen studies (randomized controlled, case-control, and pre-post designs) met inclusion criteria; those scoring ≥6 on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were included in the meta-analysis. Random-effects models were used to pool standardized mean differences for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, resilience, stress, and perceived pain. Heterogeneity, prediction intervals, and publication bias (Egger's test) were assessed.

RESULTS

Poetry-based interventions were associated with large reductions in PTSD symptoms and significant improvements in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress, with effect sizes generally in the moderate-to-large range. In contrast, effects on resilience were statistically non-significant and highly imprecise, and no reliable benefit was found for perceived pain, where heterogeneity and evidence of small-study effects were substantial. Across outcomes, most trials were small, at risk of bias, and methodologically heterogeneous.

CONCLUSIONS

Poetry therapy shows promising benefits for trauma-related, depressive, anxiety, and stress outcomes, but the evidence base is limited by small samples, variable quality, and potential publication bias. High-quality, preregistered randomized controlled trials are needed before poetry-based interventions can be firmly recommended beyond an adjunctive role in routine psychiatric care.