EFFECTS OF ARTISTIC EDUCATION WITH CYANOTYPE TECHNIQUE

IN PERSONS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND OTHER DEMENTIAS

González Rabanillo, N.¹; Pérez Sáez, E.2
ALZHEIMER’S GLOBAL (1) Social Educator, (2) Neuropsychologist
SUMMIT LISBON 2017 National Reference Centre for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care (CREA). Imserso | Contact email: info@crealzheimer.es

INTRODUCTION RESULTS
Studies that have explored the effect of art therapy on the well-being of people with Users attended an average of 9.59 sessions (range 7-11).
dementia suggest that it can be effective in increasing interest, sustained attention, Mood (Smiley-Face Assessment Scale)
pleasure, and self-esteem (Kinney & Rentz, 2005) as well as improving mood, alleviate
The cyanotype sessions had a positive effect on mood, t (16) = -7,318, p <.001, 95% CI
behavioural changes, improve communication and reduce anxiety, agitation and
[-0.74325, -0.40935], d = 1.1, since this increased from a pre-session mean of 3.80 (SD =
depression (Chancellor, Duncan & Chatterjee, 2014).
0.55) to a post-session mean of 4.37 (SD = 0.41).
Some studies have shown that performing artistic expression activities with the
cyanotype technique with people with early dementia contributes to improve their quality Self-esteem (Rosenberg's self-esteem scale)
of life and well-being (Ullán et al. 2013). After the intervention there was a significant increase in self-esteem measured through
The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of a creative therapy workshop with the Rosenberg scale as shown by the one tailed t-test, t (15) = -1.761, p = .049, 95% CI
cyanotype on self-esteem, mood, and the participation and experience with the therapy in [-3,177, 0.302], d = .33, from a pre-intervention mean of 29.06 (SD = 4.42) to a post-
PwD. intervention mean of 30.5 (SD = 4.10).
Hypothesis:
 People attending the cyanotype workshop will improve their scores on the
Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.
 Participation in the sessions of the cyanotype workshop will improve the mood of
the participants.
 This non-pharmacological therapy will lead to a positive experience in participants
that will manifest as high participation, interest and pleasure and low displeasure
and rejection.

Figure 1. Pre and post-session mean of mood assessments Figure 2. Pre and post-intervention mean

METHOD
(Smiley-Face Assessment Scale). self-esteem scores (Rosenberg
self-esteem scale)

NPT-ES
Procedure
During the cyanotype sessions users showed high scores on all items on the NPT-ES
The study used a repeated measures design with no control group.
scale (displeasure and rejection items are reversed, so a high score indicates they never
The intervention consisted of 11 group sessions of 60 to 75 minutes long, at the rate of a appeared).
weekly session in which the participants completed personal works with the technique of
cyanotype. The intervention was performed in a space designated specifically for the Table 3
activity and separated from the residential units and the day care centre. Mean (M) and standard deviation (SD) of each item and the
total score of the NPT-ES scale.
Participants
NPT-ES items M SD
In this research, users of the day care centre and the residential units of the National
Reference Centre for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care (CREA) participated. They were Participation 2.87 0.28
selected according to the following inclusion/exclusion criteria: Pleasure 2.86 0.28
Relation with others 2.99 0.02
 People with mild to moderate dementia.
Displeasure 2.97 0.07
 No behavioural disorders that interfere with the development of sessions. Rejection 3.00 0.00
 Show interest in artistic and creative activities. Total 13.67 1.31 Figure 3. Means of the NPT-ES items
 No physical or sensory alterations that prevent their participation in the activity.
The research sample consisted of 17 users of the Ambulatory Intervention Service (n = 6),
the day care centre (n = 7) and the residential units (n = 4) of the CREA, 14 women and 3
men with an average age of 72.29 years (range 50-89 years). Participants were divided
CONCLUSIONS
into three groups according to their resource in the centre (Ambulatory intervention
The results of this pilot study indicate that participation in
service, Day care centre and Residential Units).
a cyanotype workshop had a positive effect on the self-
Table 1 esteem and the mood of people with mild to moderate
Sociodemographic and clinical specifications. dementia. Art-therapy interventions as a cyanotype
Attendance to sessions
workshop makes it possible for us to focus on the abilities
Total sample of people and to leave the disease aside. In addition,
n 17 participation in cyanotype sessions resulted in a positive
Age 72.29 (13.37) experience of the participants, who showed a high level of
Age range 50-89 enjoyment, were engaged in the activity and established
Sex M/F 3/14 relationships with other users during the session, while
Sessions 9.59 (1.41) there were few manifestations of displeasure or rejection
to the activity. That is why we should consider the
cyanotype workshops as a non-pharmacological therapy
Materials
that may be effective and it is feasible and easily
Table 2 implementable in different care settings. It should be part
Outcome, instruments and way of application, used in the study. of the daily activities of PwD, within a program of artistic
expression activities and not staying in isolated sessions.
Outcome Instrument Description Way of application
Future studies should determine whether a longer-lasting
Administered Pre and program has more noticeable effects on participants.
Rosenberg 10 questions, scoring between 1
Post intervention
Self-esteem self-esteem scale and 4 points, for a minimum score
through interview with

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