Does participation in art classes influence performance on two different cognitive tasks?

Effects of a nurse-led staged integral art-based cognitive intervention for older adults on the Alzheimer's disease spectrum: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Combined art activities can improve the neural network function within various brain regions involved in emotions, cognition, and behavior, thereby preventing or reversing cognitive decline. However, few studies have systematically examined its effects. Furthermore, the impact of nurse-led art-based cognitive intervention on cognitive and psychological health is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of a nurse-led staged integral art-based cognitive intervention in older adults on the Alzheimer's disease spectrum.

DESIGN

This was a randomized wait-list controlled trial with allocation concealment and blinding of outcome assessors and data analysts. All data were collected between April 2021 and January 2023 and analyzed from January to March 2023.

SETTING

One memory clinic and four medical partnership communities.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 144 participants with subjective or objective memory decline (aged ≥60 years).

METHODS

Participants were randomized into an intervention group (n = 72) and a wait-list control group (n = 72), in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group underwent a 16-week, 24-session nurse-led staged integral art-based cognitive intervention program, which was based on neurocognitive function training patterns. The control group underwent the program after the follow-up assessment. General and specific domains of cognitive function and other health-related outcomes were measured at baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and at the 6-month follow-up (T2).

RESULTS

Of the 144 participants (mean [SD] age, 71.6 [5.8] years; 50 [34.7 %] males and 94 [65.3 %] females), 130 and 115 completed the questionnaires at T1 and T2, respectively. The average attendance rate in the intervention group was 86.0 %. At T1, the intervention group showed greater improvement than the control group did in general cognitive functions (MoCA, between-group mean difference, 1.4 [95 % CIs, 0.4 to 2.5], p = 0.009). Additionally, the intervention group demonstrated statistically significant improvement compared to the control group in language, memory, quality of life, sleep quality and physical activity level at T1. Statistically significant group differences remained in sleep quality (PSQI, between-group mean difference, -1.3 [95 % CIs, -2.5 to -0.1], p = 0.035) at the 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In this randomized controlled trial of a nurse-led staged integral art-based cognitive intervention program, older adults on the Alzheimer's disease spectrum who participated in the program experienced improved cognition and psychological health.

REGISTRATION

This study was registered with ChiCTR.org (ChiCTR2100044959) on April 3, 2021.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

A nurse-led staged integral art-based intervention for older adults on the Alzheimer's disease spectrum experienced improved cognition and psychological health.

Moderating role of depression in the association between leisure activity and cognitive function among the disabled older people

Background

This study delves into the complex interaction between leisure activities and cognitive function in older people with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on the moderating influence of depression. Despite the well-documented cognitive benefits of leisure activities among the older people, the intricate relationship between depression and the association between leisure activities and cognitive function in this specific demographic has been rarely reported.

Methods

Drawing on data from the 2017-2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), this study meticulously examined a cohort of 713 participants aged 65-89 years. We constructed a moderation model to examine the impact of leisure activity on cognitive function in older people with disabilities, with depression levels as a moderating variable.

Results

We found a positive association between engagement in leisure activities and cognitive function, highlighting the potential cognitive advantages associated with leisure engagement among disabled older people. However, the present analysis also reveals a significant moderation effect of depression on this relationship, shedding light on the nuanced nature of this association. Specifically, elevated levels of depression emerge as a critical moderator, attenuating the otherwise favorable impact of leisure activities on cognitive function among older people contending with disabilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the findings provide a compelling rationale for tailored interventions that comprehensively target both leisure activity engagement and concurrent depression management, effectively fostering improvements in cognitive function among the cohort of disabled older people.

The health impacts of place-based creative programmes on older adults' health: A critical realist review

Place-based creative programmes can help alleviate the structural and place-related problems that affect older adults' health. However, it is unclear why these programmes achieve positive outcomes, and how these may vary across contexts. This critical realist review aimed to address these gaps. We were able to evidence why these programmes may work for older people's mental, social and physical health. Place-based creative programmes impact on health because they support social relatedness, motivation, self-continuity and self-efficacy. However, the circumstances under which and for whom these programmes work remain hidden since existing studies do not report sufficiently on context. We set out some of the general aspects of context that could form the basis of minimum standards for reporting.

ArtontheBrain: Results of a Pilot Project Among Long-Term Care Residents

For long-term care (LTC) residents, multiple barriers impede access to formal museum-based participa-tory art programming. Capitalizing on available technologies may circumvent common barriers and improve quality of life for those older adults even in the presence of dementia. Targets: A convenience sample of 31 older adults was recruited from the population of residents in one LTC facility. Intervention: ArtontheBrain, a web-based program, engages participants in activities centered on visual artwork, enabling users to learn about artists through activities, such as puzzles, storytelling, and group discussions. Mechanisms of Action: Researchers hypothesized that engagement with ArtontheBrain would benefit perceived quality of life in the domains of meaningful activity engagement and personal relationships and secondarily, improvements in functional performance, mood state, and cognitive performance may occur. Outcomes: Application of a quality of life survey pre and post ArtontheBrain intervention revealed significant improvements within the individual subsample for two activity options: engagement in enjoyable activities on weekends and evenings and explore new skills and interests. Total scores for the personal relationship scale had significant improvements post-intervention for the individual and group subsamples. The individual subsample demonstrated improvement in cognitive performance, which worsened for the group subsample. Mood and functional ability worsened for the entire sample.[Research in Gerontological Nursing, 14(5), 235-243.].

Visual art therapy and cognition: Effects on people with mild cognitive impairment and low education level

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of visual art therapy (VAT) on cognition, psychological and functional ability of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and low education.

METHOD

A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted among 127 older adults with MCI, mean age 73.6 years and level of education in years, (median (range)) = 0 (0 - 9). The intervention group received 12 VAT sessions over six weeks. The control group received six health education sessions. The outcomes measures at baseline, immediately after intervention, at three-months and six-month follow up included global cognitive functions, depression, mental wellbeing and instrumental activities of daily living functions.

RESULTS

The intervention group demonstrated greater improvement than the control group in global cognition (β =2.56, (95% CI =1.16, 3.97), p< .001, standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.75), and depression (β =-2.01, (95% CI =-3.09, -0.93), p< .001, SMD = -0.93) immediately post intervention. The effects on cognitive functions were sustained at three and six-months follow ups. The differential effect of VAT on mental wellbeing and functional ability compared to health education were undetectable.

DISCUSSION

Visual art therapy can improve cognitive functions and mood status of older adults with MCI who have no or low education.

Art making and expressive art therapy in adult health and nursing care: A scoping review

Objectives

While receptive art engagement is known to promote health and wellbeing, active art engagement has not been fully explored in health and nursing care. This review is to describe the existing knowledge on art making and expressive art therapy in adult health and nursing care between 2010 and 2020.

Methods

Relevant studies and grey literature were searched and identified between March 17 and April 10, 2020 from EBSCO, CINAHL, Medline and ERIC databases and a general Internet search. Following data charting and extraction, the data (n = 42 papers) were summarized and reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

Results

In the included papers, both art making and expressive art therapy were seen in different health care and nursing contexts: yet not the home care context. The emphasis of art activities were group activities for chronically or terminally ill residents, adults aged 65 years or older. A focus on personal narrative was often seen, which may explain why art activities appear to be linked to acknowledging and building new strengths and skills, making meaning of experiences, personal growth, symptom alleviation, and communication; all used to foster collaboration between patients, patients’ near-ones and health care professionals.

Conclusions

Art activities appear to be suitable for every context and can promote personcenteredness and the measurement of nursing outcomes, and they should be considered an essential part of health and nursing care, nursing education and care for health care personnel.

Can Visual Art Therapy Be Implemented With Illiterate Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment? A Pilot Mixed-Method Randomized Controlled Trial

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with no literacy are at increased risk of progression to dementia. Whether it is feasible to engage this population in visual art therapy (VAT) and yield effects on cognition and depression remained unclear. A pilot mixed-method single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in a sample of community-dwelling older adults with MCI. The experimental group (n = 21) was assigned to 12 sessions of VAT over 6 weeks, and the control group (n = 18) was assigned to 6 weekly health education (HE) on nonbrain health topics. Participants were evaluated at baseline using Montreal Cognitive Assessment-5-minute protocol (MoCA-5-min) and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS-SF). A focus group discussion (FGD) was also conducted to the experimental group to explore their experiences of participating in the VAT. Findings indicated that both VAT and HE groups had significant improvement in MoCA-5-min scores and depressed mood over time; however, the significant group × time interaction effect was noted only for the psychological outcome. Findings from the FGD indicated that participants had challenging experiences at the beginning of the therapy, but later, they were able to cope and found that the VAT was relevant and beneficial for their cognitive and psychosocial health. This pilot study provided initial evidence about the potential benefit of VAT in improving cognitive and psychological well-being of older adults with MCI and low literacy and provided insights on how to better engage them in this cognitive stimulating intervention. A full-scale trial is recommended for a stringent evaluation.

Can cognitive leisure activity prevent cognitive decline in older adults? A systematic review of intervention studies

The aims of this systematic review were to investigate what kind of cognitive leisure activities have been used in intervention studies targeting older adults, and whether these activities improve cognitive function or inhibit cognitive decline. Based on the PRISMA declaration, we searched keywords using three electronic databases: PubMed, PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES. Intervention studies involving cognitive leisure activities with cognitive assessments set as outcomes were included. We regarded cognitive leisure activities as activities for enjoyment or well-being that cause intellectual stimulation (e.g. reading, playing board games). To investigate the influence of each activity on cognitive domains, multicomponent programs (e.g. combined music and art) were excluded. In total, 20 studies were included in the evaluation. Consequently, intervention studies related to arts, writing, board games, reading, handicrafts, a crossword puzzle and learning computer skills were identified. Of the 20 studies, 13 showed improvement in some cognitive domain. In 12 of these 13 studies, the intervention effects were not observed in a specific cognitive domain; rather, the intervention effects were observed across multiple cognitive domains and on working memory. The results of the present review suggest that cognitive function in older adults can be improved through cognitive leisure activity interventions. Activities related to learning new skills, that cause strong intellectual stimulation and that include communication elements were considered particularly effective tools. However, as the number of studies is small, more high-quality research needs to be accumulated. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 469-482.