Visuospatial exploration and art therapy intervention in patients with Parkinson's disease: an exploratory therapeutic protocol. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cucca, A.; Acosta, I.; Berberian, M.; Lemen, A.C.; Rizzo, J.R.; Ghilardi, M.F.; Quartarone, A.; Feigin, A.S.; Di Rocco, A.; Biagioni, M.C.
• Is Part Of: Complementary therapies in medicine. Volume 40(2018)
• Page Start: 70
• Page End: 76
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Parkinson's disease -- Visuospatial functions -- Art therapy -- Neurorehabilitation; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; Complementary Therapies -- Periodicals; Médecines parallèles -- Périodiques; Thérapeutique -- Périodiques; Alternative medicine; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.07.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-2299

Abstract

Highlights: Visuospatial dysfunction is highly prevalent in Parkinson's Disease. Impaired visuospatial skills may play a causative role in gait failure and other disabling motor symptoms. Art experience relies on sophisticated neurological mechanisms that could enhance defective visuospatial functions. Art therapy may ameliorate mood, emotional wellness, psychosocial wellbeing, self-efficacy, and overall quality of life. The neural substrate of visuospatial dysfunction and the therapeutic potential of art therapy remain to be explored. Abstract: Though abnormalities of visuospatial function occur in Parkinson's disease, the impact of such deficits on functional independence and psychological wellbeing has been historically under- recognized, and effective treatments for this impairment are unknown. These symptoms can be encountered at any stage of the disease, affecting many activities of daily living, and negatively influencing mood, self-efficacy, independence, and overall quality of life. Furthermore, visuospatial dysfunction has been recently linked to gait impairment and falls, symptoms that are known to be poor prognostic factors. Here, we aim to present an original modality of neurorehabilitation designed to address visuospatial dysfunction and related symptoms in Parkinson's disease, known as "Art Therapy". Art creation relies on sophisticated neurologic mechanisms including shape recognition, motion perception, sensory-motor integration, abstraction, and eye-hand coordination. Furthermore, art therapy may enable subjects with disability to understand their emotions and express them through artistic creation and creative thinking, thus promoting self-awareness, relaxation, confidence and self-efficacy. The potential impact of this intervention on visuospatial dysfunction will be assessed by means of combined clinical, behavioral, gait kinematic, neuroimaging and eye tracking analyses. Potential favorable outcomes may drive further trials validating this novel paradigm of neurorehabilitation.