Effect of Art Therapy on Cognitive and Hand Functions of Alzheimer's Patients

NCT07163377 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 90.2025fbu
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Alzheimer Disease

Keywords

Alzheimer; Art therapy; Cognitive Function

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• 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.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

• 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.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Nine Hole Peg Test

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Art Therapy Session

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention group will receive art therapy sessions over 8 weeks, twice weekly, each lasting 60 minutes. The program includes mandala coloring (weeks 1-2), collage making (weeks 3-4), clay modeling (weeks 5-6), free drawing/painting (week 7), and a participant's choice activity (week 8).

Other: Experimental Group

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group will not receive any intervention

Interventions

Experimental Group OTHER

Participants in the intervention group will undergo art therapy sessions

Art Therapy Session

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fenerbahce University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Fenerbahçe Üniversitesi

Ataşehir, Istanbul, 34734, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alzheimer Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Dementia; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Tauopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Mine SEYYAH, Ph.D.

  Fenerbahce University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Mine SEYYAH, Ph.D.

CONTACT

+90 505 833 69 08; mine.seyyah@fbu.edu.tr

Sümeyye Akçay, Ph.D.

CONTACT

+90 542 400 25 53; sumeyye.akcay@fbu.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 20, 2025
• First Posted: September 9, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 1, 2025
• Study Completion: January 1, 2026
• Last Updated: September 9, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)