Visual Art Therapy and Cognition: Effects on People with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Low Education Level

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of visual art therapy (VAT) on cognition, psychological and functional ability of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and low education. Methods: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted among 127 older adults with MCI, mean age 73.6 years, and level of education in years, median (range) = 0 (0-9). The intervention group received 12 VAT sessions over 6 weeks. The control group received 6 health education sessions. The outcomes measures at baseline, immediately postintervention, at 3-month, and 6-month follow-up included global cognitive functions, depression, mental well-being, and instrumental activities of daily living functions. Results: The intervention group demonstrated greater improvement than the control group in global cognition (? = 2.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16, 3.97, p <. 001, standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.75) and depression (? =-2.01, 95% CI =-3.09,-0.93, p <. 001, SMD =-0.93) immediately postintervention. The effects on cognitive functions were sustained at 3 and 6 months follow-up. The differential effect of VAT on mental well-being and functional ability compared to health education were undetectable. Discussion: VAT can improve cognitive functions and mood status of older adults with MCI who have no or low education. Clinical Trials Registration Number: PACTR201901731800445. This trial was registered with Pan African Clinical Trial Registry: www.pactr.org. © 2021 The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved.