Systematic review of arts and culture-based interventions for people living with dementia and their caregivers

Aims: To explore and summarize studies investigating the effect of arts and culture interventions for people living with dementia and their caregivers on the well-being and cognition of the person living with dementia and, caregiver strain. Methods: We carried out a systematic search of five electronic databases (PubMed, PsychINFO, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library).  We included original research published in peer-reviewed journals including both qualitative and quantitative studies.  We assessed quality of included studies using the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias tools.   A narrative synthesis was conducted of all included studies. Results Of the 4827 articles screened, 34 articles met inclusion criteria. A variety of interventions were identified, with more than half taking place in a museum or gallery. Five RCTs showed improvements in wellbeing outcomes but no cognitive improvements except in some subscales in a music intervention. Most non-randomised studies reported cognitive improvements and well-being improvements for people living with dementia  and their caregivers. Studies primarily focused on individuals with mild to moderate dementia. Conclusions: The use of arts and culture interventions may provide benefits for people living with dementia and their caregivers. However, heterogeneity of the interventions and outcome measures prevented generalization of the results. Further research of arts and culture interventions for people living with dementia and their caregivers should utilize larger controlled trials, standardized outcome measures and include individuals with moderate to severe dementia