Shadow puppetry therapy enhances dementia-related cognitive function and interpersonal relationship.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Creative Arts Therapies

Background:

• Dementia care demand is rising, necessitating effective non-pharmacological interventions.
• Creative arts therapies, including Shadow Puppetry Therapy (SPT), show potential in stabilizing cognitive function.
• SPT uniquely integrates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements for dementia care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of Shadow Puppetry Therapy (SPT).
• To assess SPT's impact on cognitive function, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships.
• To determine SPT's suitability for older adults with mild dementia.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design was employed with 33 older adults diagnosed with mild dementia.
• Participants were assigned to either an experimental SPT group (n=15) or a control group (n=18).
• A 16-week SPT program was administered to the experimental group, while the control group engaged in regular activities. Cognitive function, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships were assessed pre- and post-intervention using standardized scales (SPMSQ, RSES).

Main Results:

• The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive function, indicated by decreased SPMSQ scores (p=.001).
• Self-esteem and interpersonal relationship scores significantly increased in the SPT group (p=.001).
• No significant changes were observed in the control group, highlighting the specific effects of SPT.

Conclusions:

• Shadow Puppetry Therapy (SPT) is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for enhancing cognitive function, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships in individuals with mild dementia.
• The study supports the integration of SPT and other creative arts therapies into comprehensive dementia care strategies.
• SPT offers a valuable therapeutic option for improving the quality of life for older adults with dementia.