Professional paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2026.65.03.14

Art Therapy and Parkinson’s Disease: Impact on Health‑Related Quality of Life

Lucija Čondić Jurjević ; Vuk Vrhovac University Clinic, Zagreb, Croatia *
Srđana Telarović ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to assess the impact of art therapy on health-related
quality of life in Parkinson’s disease (PD).
The study included two groups of 30 patients with PD. After randomization,
the study group, in addition to drug therapy, participated in cycles of art therapy
(visual and graphic expression, and music therapy) every three months for
a year, and the control group remained exclusively on drug therapy. All participants
were continuously evaluated by completing a validated questionnaire:
the Short Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36 questionnaire).
Art therapy was associated with statistically significant and consistent improvements
in health-related functioning across all dimensions of the SF-36
questionnaire.
Art therapy is a valuable non-pharmacological intervention for improving
physical, psychological, and social functioning in patients with PD.

Keywords

Parkinson Disease; Art therapy; Quality of life

Hrčak ID:

351395

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/351395

Publication date:

28.9.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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