Retaining identity: Creativity and caregiving

Systematic review of group-based creative arts interventions in support of informal care-givers of adults: a narrative synthesis

Informal care-givers play an important role, with health-care systems relying on the billions of hours of care they provide. Care-givers experience high levels of psychological distress and isolation; however, the efficacy of what support is the best for care-givers is unclear. The primary aim of this systematic review is to determine the effect of group creative arts interventions on informal care-givers of adults. The secondary aim is to understand the impact of group type, the primary outcomes and how they are measured. Given the heterogeneous nature of the included studies, a narrative synthesis approach was taken. Database searches identified 2,587 studies, 25 of which met the full inclusion criteria. Studies included group creative arts interventions for either care-givers only (N = 8) or for care-giver/cared-for dyads (N = 17). The majority of the participants in the studies were older Caucasian females. Group creative arts interventions are beneficial for care-givers and for the person being cared for; however, benefits differ depending on whether the group is for care-givers only or for care-giver/cared-for dyads. Future research will benefit from care-givers being involved in the design of the creative arts intervention to provide input regarding group type and relevant outcome measures. Future research should consider targeting their intervention to care-givers with a low baseline score to increase the ability of the study to demonstrate a significant difference.

The Use of an Electronic Painting Platform by Family Caregivers of Persons with Dementia: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study

Painting is a well-known method for alleviating stress, but it is uncertain whether family caregivers can use an electronic painting platform at home for this purpose. Aim. The aim in this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of having family caregivers of persons with dementia (FCPWD) draw electronic paintings using a mobile app, and to assess the preliminary effect of the intervention on their well-being. Methods. This was a two-phase feasibility and acceptability study, with qualitative interviews conducted in Phase 1 and qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey conducted in Phase 2. Caregiving burden, depressive symptoms, self-rated health, and social support were measured before and after the intervention. Participants were asked to draw electronic paintings at any time they liked, and to share the paintings with friends or relatives if they wished. Result. The recruitment rate in Phase 2 was 87.5% (28 out of 32), with 78.6% participants (22 out 28) completing all activities in 8 weeks. The FCPWD regarded the e-painting app as an appropriate channel for expressing their emotions. They found the layout of the app to be easy to use and were satisfied with it. A total of 116 pictures were produced. Log-in frequency was significantly correlated with the sharing of paintings with friends or relatives (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). Conclusion. FCPWD considered the e-painting mobile app to be a feasible and acceptable technology-based psychosocial platform. A further investigation with a larger sample in a full-scale randomized controlled trial is warranted.

Benefits of Cultural Activities on People With Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review

Museums and cultural institutions are increasingly striving to respond to the interests and needs of the society that hosts them. This means, apart from other actions, that these institutions must be involved in the health and wellbeing of society, and the creation of cultural activities aimed at people with cognitive impairment, a group of individuals that is growing worldwide due to the aging of society and the increasing prevalence of dementia. The involved sectors are aware of the potential and benefits of activities for this population, even though there is much research to be conducted. To date, no systematic review has focused on the benefits of cultural activities for cognitively impaired people. This study aimed to explore the benefits of different modalities of cultural activities with evidence from 145 studies from various databases, which met the inclusion criteria. Significant improvements in general cognition, quality of life (QoL), emotional wellbeing, socialization, and communication were generally reported after interventions, with a reduction in depression symptoms. There was not enough evidence to prove memory, language, or daily functioning improvements attributable to cultural interventions. There were no significant reductions reported in apathy, sadness, agitation, or anxiety.

Creative Art Therapy as a Non-Pharmacological Intervention for Dementia: A Systematic Review

Background

Non-pharmacological therapies have been shown to be effective in managing challenging behavior in people with dementia. However, the efficacy of art therapy has yet to be determined.

Objective

In the present systematic review, we evaluate the efficacy of art therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention for dementia and examine whether art therapy improves wellbeing and quality of life while decreasing biological and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

Methods

Research undertaken between 2015 and 2020 was examined and a total of seventeen studies met the specified search criteria, with 853 participants (657 people with dementia, 180 formal and informal carers, and 16 volunteers) involved.

Results

We identified four outcome domains: wellbeing, quality of life, BPSD, and cognitive function. One or more significant outcomes as having an impact on the efficacy of the intervention were reported in 88% (15/17) of the studies, whereas 17% (3/17) demonstrated significant outcomes across quality of life, wellbeing, and BPSD.

Conclusion

People with dementia benefit from art therapy. These interventions when incorporating elements of being 'in the moment' increase opportunities for communication between people with dementia and their caregiver(s) and facilitate person-centered therapeutic activities.