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