Transcript The Importance of Adequate Training and Organizational Practices

Participating in Creative and Performing
Arts: Research Shows the Health Benefits
Linda S. Noelker, Ph.D
Benjamin Rose Institute, Cleveland, Ohio
This study was made possible by a grant from the Cleveland Foundation. Presented at the
Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging’s Conference on Independent Living, June 10, 2010.
PLEASE DO NOT CITE, QUOTE, DUPLICATE, OR DISTRIBUTE THIS DOCUMENT WITHOUT THE AUTHORS’ PERMISSION
Objectives
To review research on the documented health
benefits of creative and performing arts
programs for older adults.
To discuss some resources for making arts
programs more available to older adults and
adults with disabilities.
Why is evidence of health benefits important?
 To attract support from funders: evidence that
expected outcomes will be achieved
 To attract participants: a good alternative and/or
supplement to medical treatments to achieve
better health
 To strengthen communities: arts programs can
produce a living community legacy created by
cultural groups and generations
Methods
 Systematic review of the research using health
literature data bases
 Keywords used: creative*, health promotion,
arts, program*, aging, perform*, and health
*denotes the derivatives and variations of the
word
Methods
Inclusion criteria for articles
1. Had to include creative activities that either
exclusively targeted or included older adults
2. Activity was not a therapy or arts & crafts
3. Activity had to be participatory, not observant
4. Had to document at least one health-related
benefit (physical, mental, emotional) reported
Methods
Search began June 2009 and ended November
2009
No existing meta-analysis or review articles found
on health benefits of professionally-led
participatory arts programs for older adults
Results
 2,205 articles identified using search terms
(publication dates 1978 through 2009)
 42 were retained for review
 11 met inclusion criteria and were retained to
include in the analysis
Types of Arts Program & Health Benefits
 Creative drama classes: decrease in anxiety and one
measure of hostility
 Reminiscence & creative expression: significant
decrease in depression and increase in mastery
 Comparative effectiveness of art program (Memories in the
Making): high levels of well-being for day care participants
with dementia
 Individualized piano instruction: better performance on
two cognitive tests (perceptual speed and memory)
Types of Art Programs & Health Benefits
 Jazz Dance Instruction: improved balance;
fewer falls
 Acting Classes: improved cognition
 Theatrical Training: higher scores on recall and
problem-solving skills and a mental health
measure
Cohen et al., 2006
 Impact of 30 week participation in a chorale group on
overall health & mental health of older adults in
intervention (n=77) and comparison groups (n=64)
 Mostly female and Caucasian subjects
 Pre-test and post-test after 12 months.
 Findings showed intervention subjects reported better
overall health, fewer over-the-counter medications,
fewer falls, fewer physician visits, and higher morale
and decreased loneliness scores.
Cohen et al., 2007
 24-month follow up of participants in the chorale
and comparison groups
 Findings showed intervention subjects had a
smaller increase in use of over-the-counter and
prescription drugs and reported fewer health
problems
Limitations of the Studies
 General lack of random assignment to treatment and
comparison/control groups
 Small, homogeneous samples
 Convenience sampling
 Short duration of the intervention
 Lack of attention to longer term effects (sustained
impact)
 Lack of attention to variations in the frequency and
length of the intervention
Conclusions
 Limited number of studies that met inclusion
criteria
 Findings suggest that participatory creative and
performing arts programs have a range of
physical and mental health benefits for older
adults
Resources
 National Center for Creative Aging Website
www.creativeaging.org
 American Society on Aging webinars on creative
aging programs www.asaging.org
 Museum of Modern Art (NYC) Program in Arts
and Dementia for those with Alzheimer’s and
their Caregivers
www.moma.org/learn/programs/alzheimers
Resources
 Timeslips Storytelling Project (training manual,
DVD and story kit) for those with memory loss
www.timeslips.org
 Elders Share the Arts: A Guide to the Living
History Theater Program; integrating personal
reminiscence, oral history, and art making; uses
visual arts, theater arts, writing, and storytelling.
www.elderssharethearts.org/coreprograms/livinghistory.php
Resources
 Science of Creativity and Cognitive Enhancement: learn how to keep
the aging brain fit through creative engagement www.mindramp.org
 Songwriting Works: helps families and artists to bring music to older
relatives through song composition and performance
www.songwritingworks.org
 Stagebridge Senior Theater: oldest senior theater in the US brings
performance arts training (theater, storytelling, and music) to older
adults who perform for younger generations
www.stagebridge.org
Some Local Resources
 Photocoloring (Carolina Martin, Art on Wheels)
 Journaling for Health (Sarah G. Sieradzki, OT,
UH)
 Creative Card Making (Deena Baenen, MS,
LSW, COTA)
 Drumming (Cindy Hill, BA, Rhythm Culture)
Other Resources
 The Creative Age: Awakening Human Potential in the
Second Half of Life, Gene D. Cohen, M.D., Ph.D, Avon
Books, New York, 2000.
 Creativity Matters: The Arts and Aging Toolkit, J. M.
Boyer, National Guild of Community Schools of the
Arts, New York, 2007.
 Cultivating Demand for the Arts: Arts Learning, Arts
Engagement, and State Arts Policy, L. Zakaras & J. F.
Lowell, Rand Corporation, 2008.
References
Alpert, P. T., Miller, S. K., Wallmann, H., Havey, R., Cross, C., Chevalia, T., et al.
(2009). The effect of modified jazz dance on balance, cognition, and mood in older adults. Journal of the
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 21, 2, 108-115.
Bohlmeijer, E., Valenkamp, M., Wsterhof, G., Smit, F., & Cuijpers, P. (2005). Creative
reminiscence as an early intervention for depression: Results of a pilot project. Aging & Mental Health, 9, 4,
302-304.
Bugos, J. A., Perlstein, W. M., McCrae, C. S., Brophy, T. S. & Bedenbaugh, P. H.
(2007). Individualized piano instruction enhances executive functioning and working memory in older adults.
Aging and Mental Health, 11, 4, 464-471.
Cohen, G. D., Perlstein, S., Chapline, J., Kelly, J., Firth, K. M., & Simmens, S. (2006)
The impact of professionally conducted cultural programs on the physical health,
mental health, and social functioning of older adults. The Gerontologist, 46, 6,
726-734.
References
Cohen, G. D., Perlstein, S, Chapline, J., Kelly, J., Firth, K. M., Simmens, S. (2007).
Impact of professionally conducted cultural programs on the physical health, mental health, and
social functioning of older adults--2-year results. Journal of Aging, Humanities and the Arts, 1, 1-2,
5-22.
Davis, B. W. (1985). Impact of creative drama training on psychological states of older
adults: an exploratory study. The Gerontologist, 25, 3, 315-321.
Kinney, J. M. & Rentz, C. A. (2005). Observed well-being among individuals with
dementia: Memories in the Making, an art program, versus other structured activity. American
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, 20, 4, 220-227.
Noice, H., & Noice, T. (2006). Theatrical intervention to improve cognition in intact
residents of long term care facilities. Clinical Gerontologist, 3, 59-76.
References
Noice, H. & Noice, T. (2009). An Arts intervention for older adults
living in subsidized retirement homes. Aging, neuropsychology
& cognition, 16, 1, 56-79.
Noice, H., Noice, T., Perrig-Chiello, P., Perrig, W. (1999).
Improving memory in older adults by instructing them in
professional actors' learning strategies. Applied Cognitive
Psychology, 13, 4, 315-328.
Noice, H., Noice, T., & Staines, G. (2004). Short-term intervention
to enhance cognitive and affective functioning in older adults.
Journal of Aging and Health, 16, 4, 562-585.
Thank you!
Questions or comments?
[email protected]
www.benrose.org