Toward Family-Integrated Art Therapy in Oncology: A Scoping Review Protocol Comparing Pediatric and Adult Interventions

Cancer affects patients and their families through changes in emotional well-being, caregiving roles and communication. This scoping review aims to map painting-based oncology interventions involving documented patient–family interaction, compare family participation across pediatric and adult cancer contexts, and examine outcome measurement at the patient, caregiver, dyadic and family levels. The review includes original empirical evidence on implemented drawing, painting, colouring, mandala painting or comparable activities with a therapeutic or supportive purpose. Painting content and related family interaction must be identifiable, including within multicomponent programmes. Eligibility will be assessed using the established population, intervention and evidence-source criteria together with the revised requirement for documented actual family participation. Database searches have been updated through 15 September 2026. Evidence will be charted and synthesized descriptively, with reporting guided by PRISMA-ScR. Findings will inform the development of family-integrated painting interventions in oncology.