As the global population structure gradually changes, dementia has garnered increasing attention worldwide. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) falls between normal aging and mild dementia and is often accompanied by negative symptoms such as depression, apathy, and anxiety. Therefore, intervening at this stage is crucial for preventing the development of dementia. Among various interventions, "art therapy" is considered a promising approach. However, considering that this study primarily focuses on the application of digital art creation for individuals with MCI rather than traditional professional therapy, it is referred to as "digital art creation". Unlike traditional methods, this study integrates technology with art creation using the "Painting and calligraphy" painting system developed by the research team, planning 8 sessions of "digital art creation activities". The study recruited 11 participants with an average age of 82.3 years with MCI and conducted psychological tests before and after the activities. Short-term depression-happiness scale (SDHS) and Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES) questionnaires were used for assessment, followed by non-parametric analysis. Results showed that although there was no significant change in short-term happiness, post-test results were better than pre-test, indicating an improvement in happiness for most participants after engaging in digital art creation activities. The RSES results were significant, confirming an increase in self-esteem after the activities. Additionally, correlation analysis between SDHS and RSES revealed a moderate correlation, indicating a close relationship between self-esteem and happiness, further confirming the potential impact of digital art creation activities on increasing happiness.

Authors:
Pei-Fen Wu, National Changhua University of Education, Taiwan
Kuang-Yi Fan, National University of Tainan, Taiwan
Wen-Fu Wang, Changhua Christian Hospital, Taiwan
Feng-Chu Wu, National Ilan University, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Professor PEIFEN WU is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at National Changhua University of Education in Taiwan

See this presentation on the full schedule – Friday Schedule

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