The Creative Mind

The Effect of Art Therapy on Cognitive Performance Among Ethnically Diverse Older Adults

“…Physical activity (e.g., manually creating art), problem solving (e.g., deciding on color), and socialization (e.g., describing artwork made) are all naturally incorporated into art therapy sessions, creating an enriched environment that increases the likelihood of neurogenesis (Alders, 2009;K. Diamond, 2000;Guillot et al, 2009;Riley, 2004). The increase in socialization resulting from art therapy can be explained as follows: (a) art objects aid in communication and provide a point of reference during socializing (Abraham, 2004;Malchiodi, 2006;Østergaard, 2008); (b) older adult art therapy participants can show friends and family their artwork, increasing discussions that may in turn increase interest and motivation for continued socialization (Thoman, Sansone, & Pasupathi, 2007); and (c) social interaction engages diverse cognitive resources and distinct brain areas, and facilitates improved cognitive functioning (Glei et al, 2005;Ybarra et al, 2008).…”

“…During art therapy, the use of colors, textures, and malleable materials stimulates areas of the brain located within the limbic system (Hass- Cohen & Carr, 2008), which is associated with the hippocampus and emotional regulation (Stern, 2009). Artistic expression in a therapeutic environment can potentially improve memory by providing opportunities for emotional regulation and increased mental activity (Riley, 2004). Through art-making, art therapy requires an integration of higher cortical thinking, such as planning, focused attention, and problem solving, and increases the likelihood of cognitive health (Hass- Cohen & Carr, 2008).…”

Patients' drawings illustrate psychological and functional status in heart failure

“…Innovative ways of understanding a patient's experience are required to elicit new insights in this area. Asking patients to draw their perceptions about their illness has the advantage of uncovering their idiosyncratic beliefs, experiences, and concerns without imposing preconceived ideas by the researcher [17][18][19].…”

Reviews

“…Although the topic of neuroscience has received growing attention in art therapy literature (Belkofer & Konopka, 2008;Gantt, 1998;Kaplan, 2004;Klorer, 2005;Lusebrink, 2004;Malchiodi, 2003;Riley, 2004;Stewart, 2004), this book both advances and expands upon these earlier efforts by gathering and applying neuroscience principles in an articulate, comprehensive, and accessible way. Packed full of material, readers interested in learning more about the topic of art therapy and neuroscience will benefit greatly from the assimilation of such a wealth of material collected under one cover.…”