Recovering from a brain injury is a complex journey, and the arts can play a powerful role in that process. Creative activities such as visual arts, music, and writing offer more than just enjoyment—they can actively support cognitive rehabilitation by enhancing attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. These forms of expression also promote emotional healing, offering a non-verbal outlet for feelings that may be difficult to articulate. Engaging in the arts encourages neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new neural pathways—which can foster a renewed sense of purpose and boost self-esteem. Additionally, these activities can improve motor coordination, visual perception, and abstract thinking, all of which contribute to a hopeful outlook on recovery.
Let’s explore the ways in which the arts support the brain’s remarkable ability to heal.
Art Therapy Helps Ease Depression1
A growing interest in neuroaesthetics—the study of how the arts measurably affect body, brain, and behavior—is prompting new research and evidence that art therapy significantly decreased depression in people with mild and major cognitive disorders.
Experts like Susan Magsamen emphasize that the arts are both evolutionarily essential and accessible, though often not covered by insurance. However, programs like CultureRx in Massachusetts and ArtsRx in New Jersey are pioneering “social prescriptions,” allowing healthcare providers to recommend artistic activities for healing. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield partnered with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark to create ArtsRx.
In a study published in The Arts in Psychotherapy in 2018, 195 hospitalized patients were asked to rate their mood and levels of pain and anxiety before they participated in an art therapy session; they were asked the same questions afterward, and almost all reported less anxiety and better moods, and some even reported less pain.
Innovative projects, such as mask-making at the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics in collaboration with Walter Reed, continue to explore how creative expression supports recovery and resilience.
How Dance Promotes Brain Health2
For years, we’ve known that dance fosters joy, connection, and confidence, and a growing body of research reveals dance as a uniquely powerful tool for cognitive vitality. Unlike repetitive exercise, dance demands spatial awareness, emotional engagement, and bilateral brain activity. It boosts mood, reduces stress, and enhances self-esteem, simply making people feel good.
In a study at Emory University in Atlanta, researchers investigated the effects of adapted Argentine tango on older adults with neurologic disorders. Three times a week, Emory students and older adults participated in tango classes; participants self-reported gains in memory, coordination, movement, and balance, and told the researchers the experience had made them happy. After the year-long tango research ended, participants’ cognition scores had gone up considerably.
Dance is a complex physical activity with various cognitive, social, and physical components. Dance requires analytical and logistical thinking, which occur in the left hemisphere, as well as creativity, appreciation of the music’s rhythm and melody, and spatial cognition, which are controlled by the right hemisphere. A 2023 article review found numerous studies that mentioned the link between dance therapy and improvements in global cognitive function, memory, executive function, attention, language, and mental health.
And it’s not just movement—dance boosts brain health. A 2022 study comparing ballroom dancing to treadmill walking found that dancers performed better on memory tests and retained more hippocampal volume, a key brain area for learning. These findings echo a landmark 2003 study showing that dancing was the only physical activity linked to a reduced risk of dementia in older adults. It also promotes the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports neuron growth and protects against neurodegeneration. In fact, a 2018 study found that while both dance and traditional fitness improved physical health, only dance increased BDNF levels and brain volume, as seen on MRI scans.
Dance fosters joy, connection, and confidence—reminding us that healing isn’t just clinical, it’s human.
How Painting, Dancing, and Other Creative Hobbies Help Keep Your Brain Young3
A recent study in Nature Communications reveals that regularly engaging in creative pursuits—like painting, dancing, or even gaming—can help keep your brain biologically younger, no matter your actual age.
The researchers set out to explore how creativity might preserve brain function over time. They introduced the concept of “brain age,” which, like chronological age, reflects how old your brain appears—but it doesn’t always align with your birthdate. Instead, it’s influenced by how efficiently different regions of your brain communicate.
In this study, researchers used EEG to analyze brain function in over 1,200 participants. They used machine learning to analyze the data. The models learned to predict “brain age” based on the brain’s communication patterns; researchers compared those predictions to each subject’s chronological age. When the results were compared, it was found that people in creative fields—professional dancers, musicians, artists, and expert gamers—had brains that were significantly younger than their chronological age.
To investigate, scientists analyzed EEG data from more than 1,200 participants. Using machine learning, they trained models to estimate brain age based on neural communication patterns, then compared those estimates to each person’s real age. The results were striking: individuals in creative professions—dancers, musicians, visual artists, and elite gamers—had brains that appeared significantly younger than their chronological age.
Why? Creativity fuels neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new pathways and adapt. Every time you engage in a creative task, your brain strengthens its internal connections, improving speed, flexibility, and resilience. Whether you’re solving a design problem, improvising a melody, or navigating a virtual world, your brain is working hard to stay sharp.
One of the most powerful takeaways from the study is that it’s not about being a professional or having exceptional talent. The benefits come from the act of creating itself. Making space for creativity in your daily life is a proven way to support cognitive health. Sure, eating brain-boosting foods and doing puzzles are great habits. But this research suggests that picking up a paintbrush, dancing to your favorite song, or revisiting a long-lost hobby might be just as important—for your brain and your joy.
Art Therapy as a Tool for Recovery in Traumatic Brain-Injured Veterans and Active Duty Soldiers: A Systematic Review4
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a complex and often life-altering condition that affects many veterans and active-duty service members. While traditional rehabilitation methods focus on physical and cognitive recovery, a growing body of research highlights the transformative role of art therapy in healing not just the brain, but the whole person.
Between 2016 and 2023, six primary research studies were analyzed to explore the impact of art therapy on military personnel with TBI. These studies, sourced from peer-reviewed journals via Google Scholar, included clinical trials, case-control studies, and randomized control trials—all focusing on veterans and soldiers receiving art therapy.
The findings were compelling: art therapy consistently led to positive outcomes, often surpassing those seen in the general population. For military individuals, the benefits extended beyond physical recovery to include emotional and psychological healing.
Art therapy offers a unique blend of creative expression and therapeutic intervention. Here are some of the most significant benefits observed in the studies:
- Reduces Psychological Symptoms: Veterans reported lower levels of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Art therapy helped them process grief, manage nightmares, and reduce emotional distress.
- Facilitates Emotional Processing: For those who struggle to verbalize trauma, art provides a non-verbal outlet. Through symbols and metaphors, individuals can construct a coherent narrative of their experiences.
- Improves Cognitive Function: Participants showed improvements in memory, attention, and executive functioning—critical areas often impacted by TBI.
- Enhances Physical and Emotional Well-being: Art therapy promoted a sense of mastery, self-efficacy, and overall well-being. Some studies even showed fMRI results approaching those of non-injured individuals.
- Promotes Social Connection: Group sessions fostered interpersonal relationships, hope, and a sense of belonging—key components of recovery.
- Expands Treatment Options: Art therapy can be integrated with other treatments, such as cognitive processing therapy, offering a more personalized and acceptable approach for many veterans.
While the results are promising, the research also points to needing larger, well-controlled trials to strengthen the evidence base and uncover the neurobiological mechanisms behind art therapy’s effectiveness. Most studies center on retired veterans, and more research is needed to understand their unique needs and responses of active-duty service members to art therapy.
At Trial
Creative arts—such as painting, music, and writing—are not just recreational; they are evidence-based therapeutic interventions that support recovery in multiple dimensions:
- Neurological Rehabilitation: Engaging in art stimulates neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new pathways after trauma or injury. This is critical for regaining cognitive and motor functions.
- Emotional and Psychological Healing: Injuries often lead to depression, anxiety, and loss of identity. Creative expression provides a safe outlet for emotions, reducing stress and improving mental health.
- Pain Management: Studies show that art activities can lower perceived pain levels by shifting focus and activating reward pathways in the brain.
- Social Connection and Quality of Life: Group art programs combat isolation, foster community, and restore a sense of purpose—key factors in overall well-being.
- Evidence-Based Support: Organizations like the American Art Therapy Association and numerous peer-reviewed studies confirm that creative arts interventions improve outcomes for individuals with physical and cognitive impairments.
Cantor Grana Buckner and Bucci believe in holistic treatments for their client and use their own creativity to successfully argue for wins that include funds to pay for activities and services that enhance quality of life. That’s why several of our attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for their work in personal injury, medical malpractice, and product liability litigation. Stephanie E. Grana was named Lawyer of the Year in Richmond for both Personal Injury and Product Liability Litigation, a distinction awarded to only one attorney in each practice area and location, making it one of the highest honors in the legal community. We’re also proud that Joseph L. Cantor was recognized as one of the Ones to Watch for his work in personal injury and product liability litigation.
Helpful Resource:
Art for the Journey is a nonprofit based in Midlothian, Virginia, that is proving creativity can be a powerful force for healing, connection, and transformation. Their mission is to make art accessible to underserved communities—believing that everyone deserves the chance to experience the joy and therapeutic benefits of artistic expression. Art for the Journey offers tailored programs that foster resilience and mental well-being through trauma-informed youth art classes, expressive sessions for incarcerated women, and monthly workshops for veterans. One of their standout programs, Opening Minds through Art, pairs individuals with trained volunteers to create abstract art, build intergenerational bonds, and boost cognitive engagement. Through every brushstroke and shared moment, Art for the Journey is building a more healthy, compassionate, connected world—one piece of art at a time. Learn more at https://artforthejourney.org/
