Art Training in Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Katherine G Johnson, Annalise A D'Souza, Melody Wiseheart, Katherine G Johnson, Annalise A D'Souza, Melody Wiseheart

Abstract

Objectives: The present study explores the effect of visual art training on people with dementia, utilizing a randomized control trial design, in order to investigate the effects of an 8-week visual art training program on cognition. In particular, the study examines overall cognition, delayed recall, and working memory, which show deficits in people with dementia.

Method: Fifty-three individuals with dementia were randomly assigned into either an art training (n = 27) or usual-activity waitlist control group (n = 26). Overall cognition and delayed recall were assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and working memory was assessed with the Backward Digit Span task.

Results: There were no group differences in overall cognition, or working memory, while a difference in delayed recall was undetermined, based on post-test-pre-test difference scores. Groups were comparable at baseline on all measures.

Conclusion: The measures of cognition, delayed recall, and working memory used in this study were not affected by an 8-week visual art training program.

Clinical trial registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03175822.

Keywords: art; cognition; delayed recall; dementia; working memory.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Copyright © 2020 Johnson, D’Souza and Wiseheart.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
CONSORT diagram. LTC, long-term care.

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Source: PubMed

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