Healing Potential of Art Therapy: A Narrative Review of Neuro-Psycho-Cultural Mechanisms in Mental Health

Jiarong He¹Zhengyi Zhang^2*

• ¹Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
• ²The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China

Art therapy (AT), as a non-pharmacological complementary intervention, integrates biological, psychological, and cultural dimensions of healing through creative expression by fostering the sense of self and modulating neural mechanisms. This narrative review synthesizes the historical evolution, theoretical foundations in neuroaesthetics, positive psychology, cultural anthropology, and key clinical applications of AT. We propose a neuro-psycho-cultural framework to elucidate how AT nurtures the sense of self through mechanisms including default mode network (DMN) reconfiguration, salience (SEN) and central executive network (CEN) modulation, interpersonal neural synchrony (INS), and biomarker regulation, ultimately yielding therapeutic benefits in conditions like trauma, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases. Evidence highlights AT's role in enhancing self-identity, emotional regulation, and social connectivity through multisensory engagement and symbolic expression. Culturally adaptive frameworks further validate AT's transcultural applicability. Despite methodological challenges within the field, this synthesis positions AT as an integrative, patient-centered intervention, bridging neuroscience with anthropological reflexivity in mental health care. We conclude by discussing the limitations and future directions, emphasizing the need for rigorous controlled trials and the standardization of outcome measures. that bridges.