Using Museum Objects to Improve Wellbeing in Mental Health Service Users and Neurological Rehabilitation Clients

Abstract

Introduction:The study investigated the impact of museum object handling sessions on hospital clients receiving occupational therapy in neurological rehabilitation and in an older adult acute inpatient mental health service.Methods: The research used a qualitative approach based on objectivist and constructionist methods, from which themes typical of the object handling sessions were derived.Results: Themes emerging from detailed analysis of discourse involving clients (n = 82) and healthcare staff (n = 8) comprised: distraction and decreasing negative emotion; increasing vitality and participation; tactile stimulation; conversational and social skills; increasing a sense of identity; novel perspectives and thoughts; learning new things; enjoyment and positive emotion. Critical success factors included good session facilitation for mitigating insecurity, ward staff support and the use of authentic heritage objects.Conclusion: Museums and their collections can be a valuable addition to cultural and arts occupations, in particular for long-stay hospital clients.

Museum object handling groups in older adult mental health inpatient care

“…Thomson et al, 2012b). The act of taking an object into one's hands can be a 20 powerful experience (Samuels, 2008) particularly in the context of a hospital environment where opportunities for tactile stimulation are often minimal for long periods of time (Ander et al 2013). Activities involving touch in moulding clay have been associated with health and wellbeing benefits (Timmons & MacDonald, 2008) with participants citing touch as enriching the sessions.…”

“…Nonetheless, the present study highlighted "learning about objects, learning from each other" as a major theme which maps onto findings in the extant literature. For example, grounded theory analysis by Ander et al (2013) cited learning new things an element of museum object handling that enhanced participants' feelings of competence and confidence. Additionally, Paddon et al (2013) reported that a large proportion of session conversation involved learning and highlighted the code "guessing game" (p. 40) closely related to "guided discovery, guessing games and questions" indicated above.…”

“…Ander et al (2012) used grounded theory to analyse museum object handling sessions carried out with a range of healthcare participants, identifying key outcomes termed "engagement processes" such as learning about objects and "expressions of wellbeing" such as eliciting memories leading to a renewed sense of identity (p. 234). A qualitative study carried out by Ander et al (2013) on the impact of object handling in two healthcare settings, neurological rehabilitation and inpatient mental health highlighted eight themes contributing to the success of the sessions, including enhanced conversational and social skills and enjoyment.…”

“…Two further questions were considered: Firstly, whether benefits associated with wellbeing and engagement, such as enjoyment, tactile stimulation, recalling personal memories and identity highlighted in previous research involving one-to-one sessions (e.g. Paddon et al, 2013;Ander et al, 2013) would be present in group settings. Secondly, whether focusing exclusively on group interventions would highlight dynamics within group processes that support enrichment and therapeutic benefits brought about by museum object handling sessions.…”

“…Museum object handling can be considered an arts intervention and has a long history of association with health benefits (Classen, 2007). Recently, the practice of museum using collections to promote wellbeing, health and social inclusion has increased and often involves taking objects from the museum site to other settings, including hospitals (Ander et al, 2013), yet there remains a lack of research into the use of museum collections in hospitals and care homes.…”