Effect of Art Therapy on Cognitive and Hand Functions of Alzheimer's Patients
ConditionAlzheimer Disease
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age60+
SponsorFenerbahce University
About this trial
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of art therapy on cognitive functions and hand functions in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by decline in memory, executive functions, and daily living activities. In addition, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination are significantly impaired, limiting independence in daily tasks.
Art therapy is a non-pharmacological, low-cost, and feasible intervention that involves creative activities such as mandala painting, collage, clay modeling, and drawing. It has been shown to support cognitive performance, emotional well-being, and motor coordination by stimulating neuroplasticity. However, evidence focusing specifically on its impact on hand function in Alzheimer's patients remains limited.
In this study, 50 participants aged 60 years and older with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will attend art therapy sessions twice a week for 8 weeks (60 minutes per session), while the control group will receive no intervention. Cognitive functions will be assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and hand functions will be evaluated with the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) and surface electromyography (sEMG) of forearm muscles.
The results of this study are expected to provide valuable evidence on the role of art therapy in supporting both cognitive and motor rehabilitation in Alzheimer's disease, potentially contributing to improved daily living independence and quality of life.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Being 60 years of age or older
Having a diagnosis of mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease
Possessing the physical and cognitive capacity to participate in art therapy interventions
Providing informed consent
Disqualifiers
Being in the severe stage of Alzheimer's disease
Having a history of severe psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia or major depression
Having a physical disability that prevents the use of the upper extremities
Being unable to participate in the intervention due to visual or hearing impairments
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Experimental Group
Other interventionParticipants in the intervention group will undergo art therapy sessions
Treatment groups
50 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Art Therapy SessionExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Control GroupNo intervention 0 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Mini-Mental State Examination
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a standardized test developed to assess the overall level of cognitive functioning in individuals. It is brief and easy to administer. The test consists of 11 items covering various cognitive domains, including orientation to time and place, short-term memory, attention and calculation, recall, language skills, and visuospatial abilities. The total score is 30; lower scores indicate cognitive impairment. In general, scores of 24 or below suggest the need for clinical attention regarding cognitive dysfunction.
Time frame
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks2
Surface Electromyography (sEMG)
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a brief, standardized instrument designed to evaluate global cognitive functioning in individuals. It can be administered in a short period of time and assesses 11 domains, including orientation to time and place, short-term memory, attention and calculation, recall, language abilities, and visuospatial skills. The maximum score is 30, with lower scores reflecting greater levels of cognitive impairment. A threshold score of 24 or below is generally considered indicative of clinically significant cognitive dysfunction warranting further evaluation.
Time frame
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksSecondary outcomes
1
Nine Hole Peg Test
The Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT) is a widely used, valid, and reliable performance test for assessing fine motor skills of the upper extremities. In the test, the participant is asked to place nine small pegs into a board with nine holes in a specific arrangement and then remove them one by one. The time taken to complete this task is measured with a stopwatch, and performance is evaluated based on this duration.
Time frame
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksSponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Source ClinicalTrials.gov
This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options: