Therapeutic Benefits of Art Therapy with Older Adults with Dementia
Location
CSU 255
Start Date
18-4-2016 11:05 AM
End Date
18-4-2016 12:05 PM
Student's Major
Psychology
Student's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor's Name
Jeffrey Buchanan
Mentor's Department
Psychology
Mentor's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Description
Art therapy is commonly used in adult day centers and long-term care facilities with older adults suffering from dementia. Art therapy as a therapeutic intervention for this population is still relatively new and “art therapy” can refer to many different methods and procedures, so it is unclear how effective these various interventions are. The purpose of this literature review was to evaluate the empirical literature examining the effectiveness of art therapy in this population. Inclusion criteria included studies where participants were diagnosed with dementia and studies using qualitative methods of analysis. Studies that were excluded studies that didn’t involve older adults. In order to find relevant studies, academic search sites (i.e., ResearchGate, PsycInfo, Pubmed, and Ageline) were utilized and the following search terms were entered into each of these databases: “art therapy”, “art therapy dementia”, and “art therapy Alzheimer’s disease”. A total of 8 studies met inclusion criteria. The findings of this literature review show that individuals who are diagnosed with dementia and are exposed to art therapy show improvements in self-awareness, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. These findings suggest that art therapy may improve behavioral symptoms and the quality of life in persons with dementia. Based on these findings, it is recommended that future studies more closely examine the administration of the art therapy by the facilitator. Overall, there is a need for further carefully designed clinical studies that evaluate art programs that are being utilized as a resource for persons with dementia.
Therapeutic Benefits of Art Therapy with Older Adults with Dementia
CSU 255
Art therapy is commonly used in adult day centers and long-term care facilities with older adults suffering from dementia. Art therapy as a therapeutic intervention for this population is still relatively new and “art therapy” can refer to many different methods and procedures, so it is unclear how effective these various interventions are. The purpose of this literature review was to evaluate the empirical literature examining the effectiveness of art therapy in this population. Inclusion criteria included studies where participants were diagnosed with dementia and studies using qualitative methods of analysis. Studies that were excluded studies that didn’t involve older adults. In order to find relevant studies, academic search sites (i.e., ResearchGate, PsycInfo, Pubmed, and Ageline) were utilized and the following search terms were entered into each of these databases: “art therapy”, “art therapy dementia”, and “art therapy Alzheimer’s disease”. A total of 8 studies met inclusion criteria. The findings of this literature review show that individuals who are diagnosed with dementia and are exposed to art therapy show improvements in self-awareness, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. These findings suggest that art therapy may improve behavioral symptoms and the quality of life in persons with dementia. Based on these findings, it is recommended that future studies more closely examine the administration of the art therapy by the facilitator. Overall, there is a need for further carefully designed clinical studies that evaluate art programs that are being utilized as a resource for persons with dementia.
Recommended Citation
Villarreal, Monica. "Therapeutic Benefits of Art Therapy with Older Adults with Dementia." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 18, 2016.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2016/oral-session-07/3
