Review article
https://doi.org/10.21860/medflum2021_261184
The effects of art therapy on Parkinson`s and Alzheimer`s disease
Alisa Junakovic
orcid.org/0000-0002-6505-5075
; Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Srdjana Telarovic
orcid.org/0000-0002-1287-6144
; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Art therapy is one of the non-pharmacological treatment modalities for many diseases, including neurological and psychiatric disorders. Adrian Hill started art therapy in the 1940s. Parkinson`s disease is one of the progressive neurodegenerative diseases characterized by various motor and non-motor symptoms. As patients with Parkinson`s disease often report low quality of life despite improving their motor symptoms, complementary therapy may reduce their difficulties. Music and dance therapy, clay manipulation therapy, and tai chi training have promising results. There is also art therapy for one of the most common causes of dementia worldwide, Alzheimer`s disease. In addition to standard pharmacological treatment for Alzheimer`s disease e.g. cholinesterase inhibitors, music and visual arts therapy are evolving. This article presented some of the art therapy methods used in the most common neurodegenerative disorders, Parkinson`s and Alzheimer`s. In addition, we also presented some of the limitations of those studies. Some of the limitations are as follows: small sample size, relatively short duration of therapy sessions, and the fact that it is doubtful that art therapy could improve symptoms and cognitive abilities of people with advanced forms of neurodegenerative disorders.
Keywords
Alzheimer disease; art therapy; basal ganglia; dementia; Parkinson disease; quality of life
Hrčak ID:
261184
URI
Publication date:
1.9.2021.
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