Art Therapy for Enhancing Well-Being in Solitary Older Adults

This study explores the impact of art therapy on mental health and quality of life among solitary older adults. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: an experimental group receiving art therapy sessions or a control group with no intervention. The art therapy program includes 12 weekly sessions lasting 90 minutes each, focusing on creative expression, observation of art, and reflective discussions. These activities are designed to enhance emotional well-being, reduce depressive symptoms, and foster interpersonal connections.

Both groups will undergo evaluations before and after the 12-week study period. The assessments will include the Taiwanese version of the WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to measure changes in psychological health and life satisfaction. The findings aim to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of art therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention for improving the well-being of solitary older adults.

This study explores the effects of art therapy on mental health and quality of life among solitary older adults. The research examines whether engaging in creative activities can reduce loneliness, enhance emotional well-being, and improve life satisfaction in this vulnerable population.

Living alone presents significant emotional and social challenges for older adults, increasing the risk of depression, isolation, and reduced quality of life. Art therapy, which combines creativity with emotional expression, offers a promising, non-invasive approach to address these issues. While its benefits are documented in other populations, its specific impact on solitary older adults is not fully understood. This study aims to provide evidence on how structured art therapy programs can support this group.

This study investigates the effects of art therapy on the mental health and quality of life of solitary older adults. Solitary living often increases the risk of depression, isolation, and reduced life satisfaction, making non-pharmacological interventions like art therapy a promising approach to address these challenges. This randomized controlled trial evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of a structured art therapy program in enhancing psychological well-being and overall quality of life.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group will attend 12 weekly art therapy sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. These sessions include hands-on art creation, discussions on art observation and interpretation, and reflective exercises to explore personal emotions and experiences. The program is designed to foster self-expression, enhance interpersonal connections, and promote emotional resilience. The control group will not receive any intervention and will continue their usual daily routines. Both groups will complete standardized assessments before and after the 12-week study period.

Evaluations will use the Taiwanese version of the WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to measure changes in psychological health and life satisfaction. The data collected will compare outcomes between the two groups to determine the impact of the art therapy intervention.

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants, and their data will be securely stored and de-identified to ensure confidentiality. The findings aim to provide valuable insights into the use of art therapy as a scalable, non-pharmacological intervention for improving the mental health and quality of life of solitary older adults.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 65 years or older.
2. Living alone.
3. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score between 24 and 30, indicating no significant cognitive impairment.
4. Capable of providing informed consent.
5. Physically able to participate in art-related activities such as drawing or painting.
6. Not currently undergoing psychiatric medication treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Recent major life events (e.g., bereavement, severe illness) that could interfere with study participation.
2. History of brain injury or severe psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia or major depressive disorder requiring hospitalization.
3. Physical disabilities or motor impairments that prevent participation in art activities.
4. Participation in similar art therapy studies within the past 6 months.
5. Strong aversion or resistance to art therapy activities.