Dementia and Imagination: a mixed-methods protocol for arts and science research

Area of Science:

• Arts and health research
• Dementia care interventions
• Psychosocial well-being in aging

Background:

• Evidence on visual art benefits in dementia care is limited.
• Understanding the mechanisms and broader impacts of art interventions is needed.
• Current care models may not fully address quality of life and social connectedness for individuals with dementia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of a visual art intervention on quality of life and well-being in people with dementia.
• To explore the mechanisms through which art activities influence outcomes.
• To assess the social and community benefits of art interventions in dementia care.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods study involving 100 people with dementia and 100 carers across England and Wales.
• A 3-month, 2-hour weekly visual art group intervention with quantitative and qualitative data collection.
• Inclusion of repeated-measures observations, health economics evaluation, social network analysis, and focus groups.

Main Results:

• Preliminary findings suggest visual art interventions positively impact quality of life and well-being.
• Exploration of mechanisms indicates potential improvements in social connectedness.
• The study provides data for a social return on investment evaluation.

Conclusions:

• Visual art activities show promise as a valuable component of dementia care.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the multifaceted benefits of arts engagement for individuals with dementia.
• Dissemination includes academic conferences, newsletters, a project website, and a practitioner's guide.