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Id 947
Author Windle G., Joling K.J., Howson-Griffiths T., Woods B., Jones C.H., Van De Ven P.M., Newman A., Parkinson C.
Title The impact of a visual arts program on quality of life, communication, and well-being of people living with dementia: A mixed-methods longitudinal investigation
Reference
Windle G., Joling K.J., Howson-Griffiths T., Woods B., Jones C.H., Van De Ven P.M., Newman A., Parkinson C.; The impact of a visual arts program on quality of life, communication, and well-being of people living with dementia: A mixed-methods longitudinal investigation ;International Psychogeriatrics vol:30 issue: 3 page:409.0

Link to article https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85034611722&doi=10.1017%2fS1041610217002162&partnerID=40&md5=b74a055562cda4e6ac2accf8ab8200dd
Abstract Background: Research reviews highlight methodological limitations and gaps in the evidence base for the arts in dementia care. In response, we developed a 12-week visual art program and evaluated the impact on people living with dementia through a mixed-methods longitudinal investigation.Methods: One hundred and twenty-five people living with mild to severe dementia were recruited across three research settings in England and Wales (residential care homes, a county hospital, and community venues). Quantitative and qualitative data on quality of life (QoL), communication and perceptions of the program were obtained through interviews and self-reports with participants and their carers. Eight domains of well-being were measured using a standardized observation tool, and data compared to an alternative activity with no art.Results: Across all sites, scores for the well-being domains of interest, attention, pleasure, self-esteem, negative affect, and sadness were significantly better in the art program than the alternative condition. Proxy-reported QoL significantly improved between baseline and 3-month follow-up, but no improvements in QoL were reported by the participants with dementia. This was contrasted by their qualitative accounts, which described a stimulating experience important for social connectedness, well-being, and inner-strength. Communication deteriorated between baseline and follow-up in the hospital setting, but improved in the residential care setting.Conclusions: The findings highlight the potential for creative aging within dementia care, the benefits of art activities and the influence of the environment. We encourage dementia care providers and arts and cultural services to work toward embedding art activities within routine care provision. Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2017.


Results:

Candidate transition variables
The environment is an important contextual consideration. .
Practice implications Our research suggests that art and cultural organizations and community venues are ideally situated for delivering high quality, socially inclusive, and mentally stimulating activities. .
There is a growing interest toward including the arts in dementia care for improving outcomes, such as quality of life (QoL) and providing opportunities for social participation. .
Across all the participants, when comparing the arts program with an active control, our findings suggest they experienced in the moment benefits to their well-being, in terms of improvements to interest, attention, self-esteem, and pleasure and decreases in negative affect and sadness. .
In some cases, the art focus provided the main incentive to attend, for others the social aspect was more important, and a number perceived the benefits of both, making connections between the art and social aspects. .
The program content was a stimulating experience, being a subject for conversation and learning more about other participants through discussion and artmaking. .
In relation to the visual arts, helpful findings are emerging from small, exploratory but well-conducted studies of visual arts programs. .
They found the participants were interested in learning new things, showing improved confidence in their own skills, and capabilities. .
They provide insights into the theoretical basis of how and why visual art programs may be effective, and what outcomes may be important, an essential consideration when choosing evaluation tools. .
The program comprises two underpinning factors; dynamic and responsive artistic practice, and a provocative and stimulating aesthetic experience. .
Nevertheless, most respondents were able to express a sense of enjoyment and pleasure in taking part in the art program, improving their well-being (such as improving their mood or emotional state), or, were able to describe and reflect on particular techniques they had most appreciated in the art group. .
Ongoing weekly exposure to the art program may have been beneficial; self-esteem significantly increased by the end of the program at time .
Participants also identified that even if they did not perceive their own work as aesthetically pleasing, they conveyed pleasure in the process of engaging with making art, and many expressed pride in their sense of achievement. .
It is worth noting that arts activities may need some careful marketing and service providers will likely need to address persistent cultural barriers around the arts to encourage people to take part. .