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

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Shayla Y.M. Emblad ◽  
Elizabeta B. Mukaetova-Ladinska

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.

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e048917
Author(s):  
Shiyu Lu ◽  
Anna Y Zhang ◽  
Tianyin Liu ◽  
Jacky C P Choy ◽  
Maggie S L Ma ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo understand and assess the degree of personalisation of tailored activities for people with dementia (PWD); and to estimate the magnitude of the effects of levels of personalisation on reducing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), improving quality of life (QoL) and level of engagement.DesignSystematic review with meta-analysis.Data sourcesProQuest, PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL were searched from the start of indexing to May 2020.Eligibility criteriaWe included randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies assessing the effects of tailored activities for people aged 60 years or older with dementia or cognitive impairment on the outcomes of BPSD, QoL, depression and level of engagement with control groups.Data extraction and synthesisTwo researchers screened studies, extracted data and assessed risks of bias. A rating scheme to assess the degree of personalisation of tailored activities was developed to classify tailored activities into high/medium/low groups. Effect sizes were expressed using standardised mean differences at 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Subgroup analyses were conducted to assess whether the degree of personalisation of tailored activities affected outcomes of interest.ResultsThirty-five studies covering 2390 participants from 16 countries/regions were identified. Studies with a high-level of personalisation interventions (n=8) had a significant and moderate effect on reducing BPSD (standardised mean differences, SMD=−0.52, p<0.05), followed by medium (n=6; SMD=−0.38, p=0.071) and low-level personalisation interventions (n=6; SMD=−0.15, p=0.076). Tailored activities with a high-level of personalisation had a moderate effect size on improving QoL (n=5; SMD=0.52, p<0.05), followed by a medium level (n=3; SMD=0.41, p<0.05) of personalisation.ConclusionsTo develop high-level tailored activities to reduce BPSD and improve QoL among PWD, we recommend applying comprehensive assessments to identify and address two or more PWD characteristics in designed tailored activities and allow modification of interventions to respond to changing PWD needs/circumstances.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020168556.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. e0193398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanne Dow ◽  
Jonah Robinson ◽  
Shannon Robalino ◽  
Tracy Finch ◽  
Elaine McColl ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Rianne van der Linde ◽  
Tom Dening

The term: ‘behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia’ (BPSD) refers to a mixed group of phenomena. BPSD are the non-cognitive features of dementia and include depression, anxiety, psychotic symptoms, apathy, irritability, aggression, and sleep and eating problems. They occur in around 80% of people with dementia at some stage, several of them becoming more frequent as dementia progresses. Some BPSD, notably apathy, are very persistent. BPSD often limit the person’s quality of life and can be stressful for carers. Causes of BPSD include biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. This chapter explores how they are assessed and measured, and how they may usefully grouped together in symptom clusters. Usually four symptom groups are found: affective symptoms, psychosis, hyperactivity, and euphoria. However, these are not always consistent and in particular apathy does not consistently belong in one group. Approaches to management of BPSD are outlined.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-59
Author(s):  
Sarmishtha Bhattacharyya ◽  
Susan Mary Benbow

Assistive technologies have a role in supporting both formal and informal carers of people with dementia, and in maintaining the independence, and quality of life of both people with dementia and their carers. The authors report a narrative review of the use of technological interventions to empower the carers of people with dementia, and relate this to a model of ageing well. They argue that this highlights the importance of empowering and connecting with carers in order to increase their participation and connection in the care of their relative/client; and conclude that both empowerment and connection contribute to maintaining autonomy and well-being of both carers and people with dementia. Technological interventions should not be used as alternatives to connection. The emphasis in practice should be on empowering and connecting with both carers and people with dementia.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuko Nishiura ◽  
Minoru Hoshiyama ◽  
Yoko Konagaya

Objective/Background Older people with dementia often show behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia such as agitation, aggression, and depression that affect their activities of daily living, and hence reduce the quality of life of their caregivers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a new technological intervention—a parametric speaker, creating a narrow personal acoustic environment, which may reduce the manifestation of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia symptoms. Methods A parametric speaker was placed on the ceiling of a large day room, and personally selected pieces of music were provided in a narrow space just under the speaker during the intervention. Two older residents with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia participated in the experiment. Results Playing pieces of favorite music via the parametric speaker decreased their behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia during the intervention. In addition, this intervention reduced the burden on caregivers. One of the advantages of using parametric speaker was being able to create a personal space in a common room. Conclusion We considered that the parametric speaker might be useful to reduce behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and the burden on caregivers, providing individualized rehabilitation for the improved quality of life of residents.


2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (13) ◽  
pp. 2130-2139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Martyr ◽  
Sharon M. Nelis ◽  
Catherine Quinn ◽  
Yu-Tzu Wu ◽  
Ruth A. Lamont ◽  
...  

AbstractCurrent policy emphasises the importance of ‘living well’ with dementia, but there has been no comprehensive synthesis of the factors related to quality of life (QoL), subjective well-being or life satisfaction in people with dementia. We examined the available evidence in a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched electronic databases until 7 January 2016 for observational studies investigating factors associated with QoL, well-being and life satisfaction in people with dementia. Articles had to provide quantitative data and include ⩾75% people with dementia of any type or severity. We included 198 QoL studies taken from 272 articles in the meta-analysis. The analysis focused on 43 factors with sufficient data, relating to 37639 people with dementia. Generally, these factors were significantly associated with QoL, but effect sizes were often small (0.1–0.29) or negligible (<0.09). Factors reflecting relationships, social engagement and functional ability were associated with better QoL. Factors indicative of poorer physical and mental health (including depression and other neuropsychiatric symptoms) and poorer carer well-being were associated with poorer QoL. Longitudinal evidence about predictors of QoL was limited. There was a considerable between-study heterogeneity. The pattern of numerous predominantly small associations with QoL suggests a need to reconsider approaches to understanding and assessing living well with dementia.


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