[Effects of museum-based community programs on people with dementia and their primary caregivers-An umbrella review].

BACKGROUND

There has been noticeable research emphasis on the effects of museum-based programs as valuable community support for people with dementia and their primary caregivers.

RESEARCH QUESTION AND AIM

This umbrella review outlines the effects of museum-based community programs on health-related aspects of people with dementia and their primary caregivers and aims to synthesise existing evidence of museum-based programs and give directions for practice and implementation research.

METHOD AND MATERIAL

An umbrella review was undertaken following the guideline of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Therefore 6 databases (CINAHL Complete, PubMed, Medline Complete, SocINDEX, Psych & Behav Sci and the Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews) were searched for systematic reviews and meta-analyses in April/May 2023 and as a follow-up in October 2023. The results were critically appraised by three reviewers.

RESULTS

A total of five systematic reviews and one meta-analysis were identified. Due to the heterogeneity of the primary studies no consistent statistically robust proof of effects of museum-based community programs currently exists. Qualitative studies support the effects towards improvement of quality of life, mood and other noncognitive parameters.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

While the heterogeneity of study designs prevents a critical evaluation of the effects and therefore a reliable comprehensible analysis, the results from different studies, including randomized controlled trials, support museum-based programs as a valuable resource for participation in day to day care and social prescribing. For future research adapted and extended methodological considerations and approaches, such as mixed methods designs are recommended.