Art Training in Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

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 ( = 27) or usual-activity waitlist control group ( = 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.