Unleashing creativity in people with Parkinson's disease
a pilot study of a co-designed creative arts therapy
Blanca T.M. Spee (University of Vienna, Radboud University Medical Center)
Nienke M. de Vries (Radboud University Medical Center)
Sara Zeggio (Radboud University Medical Center)
Marjoke Plijnaer (Radboud University Medical Center)
Jan Jurjen Koksma (Radboud University Medical Center)
Annelien A. Duits (Radboud University Medical Center, Maastricht University Medical Center)
Thieme Stap (Radboud University Medical Center, Fontys Hogeschool)
Gert Pasman (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
Suzanne Haeyen (HAN University of Applied Sciences, Centre of Expertise for Personality Disorders Apeldoorn)
Sirwan Darweesh (Radboud University Medical Center)
Julia Crone (University of Vienna)
Bastiaan R. Bloem (Radboud University Medical Center)
Matthew Pelowski (University of Vienna)
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Conventional medical management, while essential, cannot address all multifaceted consequences of Parkinson's disease (PD). This pilot study explores the potential of a co-designed creative arts therapy on health-related quality of life, well-being, and pertinent non-motor symptoms. METHODS: We conducted an exploratory pilot study with a pre-post design using validated questionnaires. Eight individuals with PD participated in the program. The investigated intervention was a 10-week creative arts therapy with weekly 90-120-min sessions, guided by three creative therapists. Participants were allowed to autonomously select from multiple creative media based on their personal preferences. Explored co-primary outcomes included health-related quality of life (PDQ-39), well-being (ICECAP-A), anxiety/depression (HADS), executive functioning (BRIEF-A), resilience/mental flexibility (FIT-60), and self-efficacy (GSES). We used paired sample t tests for pre-post analysis of the co-primary outcomes and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for PDQ-39 sub-scores. We also included aesthetic responsiveness (AReA) and healthcare consumption (IMCQ adapted for PD) questionnaires reported as descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The results showed a significant reduction in anxiety and an increase in well-being. We also observed a slight improvement in cognitive functioning. Finally, we noted a reduction in healthcare consumption (fewer visits at neurologists, specialized PD nurses, and allied healthcare professionals). CONCLUSION: These findings cautiously suggest that our co-designed, multi-media creative arts therapy has the potential to increase well-being and reduce anxiety, while reducing healthcare consumption. These preliminary findings support the need for a larger, randomized controlled trial to explore the therapeutic potential of creative arts therapy in PD care.
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