None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The study is a pilot randomised proof-of-concept trial that aims to identify potential cognitive markers by utilising a 10-week social and creative, gallery-facilitated "Art & Dementia" program to examine its relationship with memory and learning tasks in adults with dementia. Specifically, we hope to ascertain whether: a) there are clinical predictors of benefit associated with an art program, b) there is improvement in visuospatial cognitive skills associated with an art program, and c) an art program is associated with improved wellbeing and reduced carer burden. We will compare the efficacy of this program to a waitlist group.
Interventions
The intervention of interest for this trial is a 10-week gallery-facilitated community art program, ‘Art & Dementia’, developed by the Museum of Contemporary Art in conjunction with Alzheimer's Australia. Those participants assigned to the art program intervention will complete 5 fortnightly face-to-face gallery-facilitated sessions (approx 2 hours per session) at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), alternated with 5 fortnightly at-home sessions (approx 1 hour per session), over a 10-week peri
The intervention of interest for this trial is a 10-week gallery-facilitated community art program, ‘Art & Dementia’, developed by the Museum of Contemporary Art in conjunction with Alzheimer's Australia. Those participants assigned to the art program intervention will complete 5 fortnightly face-to-face gallery-facilitated sessions (approx 2 hours per session) at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), alternated with 5 fortnightly at-home sessions (approx 1 hour per session), over a 10-week period. At-home sessions will be directed by the participant via at-home packs provided by the MCA containing creative and discussion exercises. Gallery-facilitated sessions will be administered by an art educator and gallery access staff, and will occur in small groups. Sessions will include both art viewing/education, and creating art with mixed medias. Adherence to the intervention will be monitored by MCA's program coordinator via gallery attendance logs, as well as self-monitored by fortnightly art diaries provided by the MCA.
Sponsors
University of Sydney
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
30 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
To be eligible participants must: *Be between 30 and 90 years of age *Have a diagnosis of dementia *Have capacity to participate (as assessed by a clinical neuropsychologist) *Have a carer or family member who is willing to complete self-report questionnaires *Be willing to attend a 10 week program at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, NSW *Be willing to attend for follow-up assessment and do not meet any of the exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria
Participants will be excluded if they: *Do not have English as a primary language *Have other major neurological problems (e.g. Stroke, epilepsy, head injury) *Have a severe mental health disorder (e.g. schizophrenia) *Have drug or alcohol-related dementia, or are currently dependent on drugs and/or alcohol
Outcome results
None listed