Does participation in art classes influence performance on two different cognitive tasks?. (3rd April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schindler, Manuel; Maihöfner, Christian; Bolwerk, Anne; Lang, Frieder R.
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 21:Number 4(2017)
• Page Start: 439
• Page End: 444
• Publication Date: 2017-04-03
• Subjects: Subjective memory complaints -- visual arts -- mental stimulation -- processing speed -- visuo-spatial cognition; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2015.1114587
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Effects of two mentally stimulating art interventions on processing speed and visuo-spatial cognition were compared in three samples. Method: In a randomized 10-week art intervention study with a pre-post follow-up design, 113 adults (27 healthy older adults with subjective memory complaints, 50 healthy older adults and 36 healthy younger adults) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: visual art production or cognitive art evaluation, where the participants either produced or evaluated art. ANOVAs with repeated measures were computed to observe effects on the Symbol-Digit Test, and the Stick Test. Results: Significant Time effects were found with regard to processing speed and visuo-spatial cognition. Additionally, there was found a significant Time × Sample interaction for processing speed. The effects proved robust after testing for education and adding sex as additional factor. Conclusion: Mental stimulation by participation in art classes leads to an improvement of processing speed and visuo-spatial cognition. Further investigation is required to improve understanding of the potential impact of art intervention on cognitive abilities across adulthood.