Effectiveness of dyadic sensory art therapies for People with dementia and their caregivers:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: The need for dyadic intervention is enhanced with increasing numbers of older adults with dementia. Studies have shown that sensory art therapies are essential for dementia patients and their caregivers. The effects of dyadic sensory art therapies for people with dementia and their caregivers require further exploration.

Objectives: This review aimed to assess the efficacy of dyadic sensory art therapies on neuropsychiatric symptoms and mental function for dementia patients, caregiver burden and psychological state for caregivers, dyad relationship quality for dyads, and evaluate the potential effects of dyadic sensory art therapies on quality of life for both dementia patients and caregivers.

Methods: An electronic literature search of the PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO and three Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang and CBM) was conducted up to November 2022. Two reviewers (SZ and QG) worked independently to identify relevant studies. Risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane's and Joanna Briggs Institute's tool. Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan software 5.4.

Results: This systematic review included 15 studies (7 RCTs and 8 quasi-experimental studies). The meta-analysis showed that dyadic sensory art therapies significantly ameliorated neuropsychiatric symptoms (SMD = -0.90, 95% CI -1.61 to -0.20, P = .01), caregiver burden (SMD = -0.75; 95% CI -1.03 to -0.47; P < .001). No significant improvements were found in caregiver depression and quality of life for both patients and caregivers.

Conclusions: Dyadic sensory art therapies are generally effective at ameliorating neuropsychiatric symptoms, and caregiver burden. Future studies are encouraged to design large-scale randomized controlled trials with high-quality study to examine and confirm the effectiveness of dyadic sensory art therapies for these dyads composed of dementia patients and their caregivers.

Trial registration: PROSPERO CRD 42023393577; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023393577.

Keywords: Art; Caregivers; Dementia; Dyadic; Systematic review.