Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41894541›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Exploring the use of art interventions in challenging stigmas related to neurological disorders: A scoping review.

Jack Lumsdon, Vivian Nyadimo, Shilla Dama Unda, Natasha Fothergill-Misbah, Mary A Bitta

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Jack LumsdonPopulation Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8985-0209
Vivian NyadimoBrain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Shilla Dama UndaBrain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Natasha Fothergill-MisbahPopulation Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Mary A BittaBrain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0258-9931

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionStigma remains a major barrier to accessing healthcare for people with neurological disorders. The World Health Organization's Intersectoral Global Action Plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders urges all member countries to have at least one functioning awareness campaign for neurological disorders by 2031. Art has emerged as a valuable tool for social change with previous success in highly stigmatised disorders. This review aims to understand the effectiveness of art-based interventions in reducing stigma related to neurological disorders.

methodsA scoping review was conducted on three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase); from inception to October 2024. Data relevant to the study's aims were extracted and underwent narrative synthesis to develop key themes and patterns across the included studies.

resultsAfter removing duplicates, 9,992 articles were screened with 24 articles identified for inclusion. Studies were predominantly from high-income settings (63%) and addressed stigma in dementia (38%), epilepsy (42%), and stroke (21%). Included studies targeted young children through to older adults. The most common form of art was videos (38%) which were predominantly short and educational, followed by visual arts (42%) which included short films, adverts, and use of images, and dance and theatre (25%). Art was used to change attitudes and perceptions (71%), raise awareness and enhance knowledge (54%), and influence emotions and behaviour (46%).

conclusionsThis review highlighted that art-based interventions effectively contributed to stigma reduction by addressing misinformation, challenging prejudices, and encouraging supportive actions but data from low resource settings were scarce. Interventions prioritising the direct interactions between a small number of the public and people with lived experience seemed particularly effective, however, the potential for theatre productions and digital media to target a larger audience should be considered.

Indexed as

ArtArt TherapyNervous System DiseasesSocial StigmaEpilepsyHumans

Identifiers

PMID41894541
PMCPMC13029808

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.