Effects of an art-based intervention in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background Art-based interventions may delay cognitive decline and improve health-related outcomes in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Objective To examine the effects of the Creative Expressive Arts-based Storytelling (CrEAS) program compared to active and waitlist controls on neurocognitive and other health-related outcomes in older people with MCI. Design Three-arm parallel-group, randomised controlled design. Participants One-hundred and thirty-five adults with MCI (mean age: 70.93 ± 6.91 years). Methods Participants were randomly assigned to intervention (CrEAS, n = 45), active control (n = 45) or waitlist control (n = 45) groups. Interventions were applied once per week for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was global cognitive function; secondary outcomes were specific cognition domains (memory, executive function, language and attention) and other health-related outcomes (anxiety, depression and quality of life [QoL]). All variables were measured at baseline (T0), 24-week follow-up (T1) and 48-week follow-up (T2). Results Participants in the CrEAS group showed significantly higher global cognitive function (adjusted mean difference [MD] = −0.905, 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.748 to −0.062; P = 0.038) and QoL (adjusted MD = −4.150, 95% CI -6.447 to −1.853; P = 0.001) and lower depression symptoms (adjusted MD = 2.902, 95% CI 0.699–5.104; P = 0.011) post-intervention at the 24-week follow-up compared with the active control group. At 48-week follow-up, only the Auditory Verbal Learning Test Immediate recall score was significantly improved compared with the active control group (adjusted MD = −2.941, 95% CI −5.262 to −0.620; P = 0.014). Conclusions Older adults with MCI who participated in the CrEAS program improved their neuropsychological outcomes and QoL and reduced their rate of cognitive deterioration.

Lifestyle interventions for dementia prevention in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A systematic review

“…Authors did find significant differences in various cognition outcomes (for instance: Montreal Cognitive Assessment, p = 0.012 and Mini-Mental State Examination, p = 0.035) between groups, but these were no longer significant after correcting using the False Discovery Rate. In a study not rated as being of higher quality, Lin et al (2022) tested a similar intervention with verbal and non-verbal expression components, delivered face-to-face. They found significant differences in general cognition, favouring the intervention (mean difference =−0.905, 95% CI = −1.748 to −0.062, P = 0.038).…”

“…Amjad et al, 2019; Lin et al, 2022; De Oliveira Silva et al, 2019; Song & Yu, 2019). For example, while dietary changes have demonstrated positive effects on cognitive health before (Chen et al, 2019), focusing solely on this single behaviour may not represent a viable and comprehensive solution, especially depending on food availability (Kivipelto et al, 2018).…”

Effect of self-determination theory-based integrated creative art (SDTICA) program on older adults with mild cognitive impairment in nursing homes: Study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

“…The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the SDTICA program on neuropsychological outcomes in older adults with MCI. The efficacy of art-based activity as a non-pharmacological intervention has been demonstrated, especially in cognitive functioning [76,77]. In addition, art-based activities generally have additional benefits in terms of improving emotional state, strengthening social interaction, and enhancing quality of life and well-being of older adults [76,77].…”

“…The efficacy of art-based activity as a non-pharmacological intervention has been demonstrated, especially in cognitive functioning [76,77]. In addition, art-based activities generally have additional benefits in terms of improving emotional state, strengthening social interaction, and enhancing quality of life and well-being of older adults [76,77]. However, due to the limitations and heterogeneity of existing study methods, the efficacy of AT remains controversial, and many individuals have poor motivation and compliance to participate in the intervention [17,27,29].…”

“…However, due to the limitations and heterogeneity of existing study methods, the efficacy of AT remains controversial, and many individuals have poor motivation and compliance to participate in the intervention [17,27,29]. Several studies conducted on art-based activities involving diverse forms of artistic expressions showed that these activities had positive effects on the cognitive function and self-efficacy of older adults with MCI [76,77]. This suggests that combining different forms of expressive art activities may be an effective approach to delay the deterioration of cognitive function.…”