The Effectiveness of Arts-Based therapy, Arts-Based Activities in Health and Digital Therapies for Adults with Learning Disabilities to Reduce Weight and Promote Healthy Lifestyles: A Scoping Review

Objective: The overarching objective of this scoping review is to explore to understand the breadth of peer-reviewed research on arts-based therapies, art-based activities in health and digital therapies used to support healthy lifestyles and healthy weight among adults with learning disabilities

Introduction: Adults with learning disabilities face significant health inequalities driven by systemic barriers, with traditional health promotion strategies and interventions often failing to meet their needs. There is growing interest in arts-based therapy, art-based activities in health and digital interventions as inclusive, engaging, and potentially effective alternatives. Yet a scoping review is needed to map the breadth of current evidence and identify gaps in this emerging area.

Inclusion criteria for eligible studies: sample consists of adults (18+) with learning disabilities, focus on interventions/strategies involving arts-based therapies, Art-based activities in health (e.g., music, drama, painting) and digital approaches (e.g., apps, virtual reality, wearables). Eligible studies must address outcomes related to weight management or healthy lifestyle promotion (e.g diet, physical activity, mental health and wellbeing). The context includes therapeutic, clinical, or health promotion settings.

Methods: This scoping review will follow JBI methodology for scoping reviews and the PRISMA-ScR checklist, using a three-step search strategy to identify published reviews. The following databases will be searched: AMED, CINAHL, PsychINFO, and PubMed via EBSCOhost; Medline, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences collection, EMBASE, Medline and Emcare via OVID; ASSIA via ProQuest; Web of Science via Clarivate and the Nutrition and Food Sciences Database. Data will be coded using the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy v1 (BCTTv1), appraised using APEASE and TIDier criteria.