Healing Through Expression: A Review of The Role of Expressive Arts & Play Therapy in Paediatric Psycho-Oncology Care

Abstract

Childhood cancer imposes profound emotional and psychological burdens on young patients and their families, necessitating holistic interventions that extend beyond medical care. This literature examines the role of Expressive Arts Therapy and Play Therapy in improving the psychosocial outcomes of paediatric oncology patients, synthesizing studies published from 2014 to 2024. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Google Scholar, yielding 84 studies after rigorous screening and inclusion of relevant research. The review identifies key therapeutic approaches such as – Expressive Arts Therapy, encompassing art, music, drama, dance, and integrative modalities, provides non-verbal avenues for emotional expression, stress relief, and resilience-building, and Play Therapy which employs developmentally appropriate techniques such as medical play, sand-play, and role-playing, enabling children to externalize fears, enhance coping strategies, and reclaim a sense of control amidst their treatment journey. Findings from the qualitative synthesis reveal four major themes: enhanced emotional coping and resilience, reduction in procedural anxiety, cultural relevance of therapy in diverse contexts, and family-centered benefits. The review emphasizes the relevance of these therapies whilst highlighting their cultural significance in Indian settings.  By bridging psychosocial and medical domains, Expressive Arts Therapy and Play Therapy emerge as transformative tools for enhancing the quality of life for paediatric oncology patients and their families. This paper highlights the potential of these interventions whilst addressing their limitations and outlining future research directions to advance their accessibility, cultural relevance, and evidence-based integration to ensure holistic, child-centered care in mainstream paediatric oncology care.