Healthcare & art (thoughts)

It is widely believed that the use of art in a healing environment is beneficial, it is easy to see why: a nice environment improves the mood and internal feelings of an individual. Art is very subjective though, what if one person's idea of beautiful is to another a pavement pizza or worse? More importantly what is the evidence to support these ideas in the first place?

Have studies been done that prove a physiological benefit or is it based in the psychosomatic? Are specific areas targeted more successfully? It seems more common to use art in childrens hospitals, mental health and terminal care environments. Is it a form of escape for patients?

What effect do colours have on the patient and do subjects play a part? It seems that landscape art is common, as are abstract forms. It is fairly common knowledge that colours enhance or compliment mood: red/angry, black/angry, blue/calm, yellow/happy. Colour has often been used in association with inner thought as well: green/jealousy, purple/sexual frustration. Another example of this is the power suit. I once heard that the aggressive hard nosed business man will wear black suits, the confident, efficient and sophisticated businessman will wear navy suits and the non-leaders (or followers) will wear grey suits.

I'd like to find some controlled trials or primary studies concerning these areas of research. Let me know if you come across any.

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