Arts & Health最新文献

Background: This study built upon previous quasi-experimental design research studying the effectiveness of a 12-week dance therapy program for persons with a physical disability (DTPD) aiming to improve mobility.

Methods: We conducted a single-case experimental design (SCED), including pre- and post-interventions measures, with seven participants with repeated measures during pre-dance (A1), dance program (B) and post-dance phases (A2).

Results: Five participants completed the study and significantly (p < 0.05) improved their scores on the MiniBESTest; 2/5 and 4/5 improved scores for the 4 Square Step Test and the Multidirectional Reach Test-Behind, respectively, with very large effect size (ES). Aggregated ES (A1-A2) went from moderate to very large.

Conclusions: Results support the effectiveness of the DTPD program for adults with neurological conditions, and for the use of SCED to explore effectiveness of dance interventions for heterogeneous cohorts.

Background: Long-term survivors of HIV in Miami, Florida are facing critical health and social issues as they age with this disease.

Methods: Using PhotoVoice methodology, nine Latino/a activist-artists were recruited to take pictures depicting their everyday life-challenges to be used in several photography exhibits aimed at informing local policy direction.

Results: The group identified a positive approach to aging with HIV as a priority at the individual, community and policy level, emphasizing policy alternatives to the negative and disease-ridden stereotypes that embed current discussions on living and aging with HIV. The activists highlight specific community and policy solutions that respond to the growing needs of long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS among Latino communities in South Florida.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that Miami (and areas with a large HIV-positive population) may benefit from community and policy solutions that take a successful aging approach and build upon the resiliency of this population.

Background: There has been increasing interest in dementia, the arts and creativity across different disciplines in recent years, with previous literature illustrating the benefits of visual arts for people with dementia.

Method: A mixed-methods, quasi-experimental, pre/post design to assess the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a newly developed therapeutic, person-centred visual art intervention for people with dementia attending a day care centre or residing in an assisted living facility.

Results: Five themes were identified from the interviews. Two themes reflected the feasibility/acceptability and the perceived impacts of the intervention, and three themes represented perceived successful elements: participant choice, socialisation and mentally stimulating activities. The quantitative data tentatively indicated enhanced social functioning and quality of life scores post-intervention.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that engagement with visual art is effective for people with dementia, and taking into account the factors that impact on feasibility and acceptability will promote future robust evaluation.

Researchers exploring sensitive topics need to identify appropriate methodologies to encourage open expression. We used poetic inquiry to explore the lived realities of transwomen in Namibia, a socially marginalised group globally. We conducted two focus group discussions with 15 transwomen and developed found poems. The poems captured issues of identity and belonging and illustrated the transwomen's journeys of self-acceptance, experiences of violence, rejection, agency and relationships. In order to enhance participant voice and enrich the poems, they were shared with some transwomen in a feedback and reflection session. This article unpacks this collaborative poetics approach. We share selected poems, explore their impact on participants, and discuss how this engagement with the poetry allowed for deeper discussion of participants' experiences. The collaboration around the poems allowed researchers and participants to find new ways to explore and address issues of discrimination and marginalization, and to actively engage larger and more diverse audiences.

Background: The drive towards living well with dementia has resulted in a growing recognition of the value of community-based participatory arts activities. This review aimed to explore their overall impact and holistic benefits for people with early to moderate stages of dementia.

Methods: Using a scoping review methodology and thematic analysis, this review explored relevant literature published between 2008 and 2019.

Results: 26 published papers were identified, comprising visual arts, literary arts, comedy, music and dance. The key themes included person-centred, in-the-moment approaches; participation and communication; attention and cognition; social cohesion and relationships; and the role of space, place and objects.

Conclusions: There is strong evidence in support of using participatory arts for dementia, regardless of art form. In-the-moment and person-centred approaches were deemed impactful. Further research is needed to explore the importance of setting, material culture and the methodological or theoretical perspectives in participatory arts and dementia research.

Supporting the wellbeing of young people is a growing issue internationally. Reviews of adult studies suggest the potential of group singing to meet this agenda. This review aimed to examine current evidence regarding the effects of group singing on the wellbeing and psychosocial outcomes of children and young people. A systematic integrative review of electronic databases, including primary research studies which examined wellbeing or psychosocial outcomes for children and young people involved in group singing, yielded thirteen studies. Conclusions about the effectiveness of group singing could not be drawn from quantitative studies, which were of low quality. Qualitative synthesis indicates group singing may support young people's wellbeing through mechanisms of 'social connectedness' and confidence. Current conclusions are limited and additional, high quality qualitative and quantitative research is required to build on these findings. Further careful study may support the development and funding of group singing projects.

Background: Social capital is often cited as shaping impacts of participatory arts, although the concept has not been systematically mapped in arts, health and wellbeing contexts. In wider health inequalities research, complex, differential, and sometimes negative impacts of social capital have been recognised.

Methods: This paper maps of social capital concepts in qualitative research as part of the UK What Works for Wellbeing evidence review programme on culture, sport and wellbeing.

Results: Studies often cite positive impacts of bonding and, to a lesser extent, bridging social capital. However, reported challenges suggest the need for a critical approach. Forms of linking social capital, such as reframing and political engagement to address social divisions, are less often cited but may be important in participatory arts and wellbeing.

Conclusions: Future research should further specify dimensions of social capital as well as their nuanced effects in arts, and wellbeing contexts.

Background: The therapeutic role of humor and hospital clowns has become a focus of interest in recent decades. Most of the research in the area has focused on children; here, we explore the influence of clown performances on adult cancer patients, their companions, and health-care staff.Methods: Ninety-nine cancer patients and 113 companions were assessed pre- and post-interventions performed by professional clowns; 31 health professionals were asked about the possible influence of the presence of clowns in hospital on their work.Results: Patients felt that clowning performances helped to reduce their level of psychological symptoms, but not their physical symptoms. Companions reported improvements in all the psychological symptoms explored. Health professionals reported that the presence of clowns in the workplace improved their well-being.Conclusions: Clowning performances helped to improve psychological functioning in all the populations studied, especially in companions. Adult hospitals should consider promoting clowning interventions to improve general well-being.

While dance programs for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) have been developed globally over the past two decades, dance programs for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are just emerging. This article introduces three dance for MS programs and a multi-site partnership that was developed to evaluate and advance a model for dance for MS programs. The program partners convened over 2 days to share program models, consider current and planned program evaluations, and identify unique challenges and promising practices for delivering safe and effective dance for MS programs. This paper presents the findings of this convening and recommendations for dance for MS programs.Background:While dance programs for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) have been developed globally over the past two decades, dance programs for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are just emerging. This article introduces three dance for MS programs and a multi-site partnership that was developed to evaluate and advance a model for dance for MS programs.Methods: The program partners convened over 2 days to share program models, consider current and planned program evaluations, and identify unique challenges and promising practices for delivering safe and effective dance for MS programs.Results:A set of promising practices for dance for MS programs, including recommendations for partnership, dance and movement approaches, and environmental, physical and psychosocial considerations, was developed by the program partners.Conclusions: These programs suggest that dance may be a useful modality for people with MS. Recommendations are offered to guide safe and evidence-based dance for MS practices.

Many patients with end-stage kidney disease require haemodialysis, a treatment that requires attending hospital three times a week for four hours each visit. This treatment impacts profoundly on mental health. Arts-based interventions for patients receiving haemodialysis could address the impact of this treatment; however, there is no consensus on methods of implementation and mechanisms underlying these interventions in specific clinical contexts. Using a realist approach, relevant articles were synthesised to inform theory relating to the mechanism and implementation of complex arts-based interventions for haemodialysis patients. The theoretical framework includes two implementation phases, firstly delivery of person-centred art activities during haemodialysis and secondly, display of completed artwork. This intervention triggers mechanisms including flow and social capital. Implementation is hindered by constraints of the haemodialysis unit and patients' lack of confidence in their artistic skills. These issues can be addressed through aflexible approach to implementation and support from healthcare professionals.