Effect of Art Therapy on Cognitive and Hand Functions of Alzheimer's Patients

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Experimental Group: Participants in the intervention group will undergo art therapy sessions

Study summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of art therapy on cognitive functions and hand functions in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by decline in memory, executive functions, and daily living activities. In addition, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination are significantly impaired, limiting independence in daily tasks.

Art therapy is a non-pharmacological, low-cost, and feasible intervention that involves creative activities such as mandala painting, collage, clay modeling, and drawing. It has been shown to support cognitive performance, emotional well-being, and motor coordination by stimulating neuroplasticity. However, evidence focusing specifically on its impact on hand function in Alzheimer's patients remains limited.

In this study, 50 participants aged 60 years and older with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will attend art therapy sessions twice a week for 8 weeks (60 minutes per session), while the control group will receive no intervention. Cognitive functions will be assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and hand functions will be evaluated with the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) and surface electromyography (sEMG) of forearm muscles.

The results of this study are expected to provide valuable evidence on the role of art therapy in supporting both cognitive and motor rehabilitation in Alzheimer's disease, potentially contributing to improved daily living independence and quality of life.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Mini-Mental State Examination — From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
  The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a standardized test developed to assess the overall level of cognitive functioning in individuals. It is brief and easy to administer. The test consists of 11 items covering various cognitive domains, including orientation to time and place, short-term memory, attention and calculation, recall, language skills, and visuospatial abilities. The total score is 30; lower scores indicate cognitive impairment. In general, scores of 24 or below suggest the need for clinical attention regarding cognitive dysfunction.
• Surface Electromyography (sEMG) — From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
  The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a brief, standardized instrument designed to evaluate global cognitive functioning in individuals. It can be administered in a short period of time and assesses 11 domains, including orientation to time and place, short-term memory, attention and calculation, recall, language abilities, and visuospatial skills. The maximum score is 30, with lower scores reflecting greater levels of cognitive impairment. A threshold score of 24 or below is generally considered indicative of clinically significant cognitive dysfunction warranting further evaluation.

Trial sites (1)

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