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

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.