Art and Exercise for Cognitive Impairment

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: State University of New York at Buffalo

Disqualifiers: Severe neurological, psychiatric, severe illness, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 24 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how artmaking and exercise can improve cognitive and physical abilities in older adults. Participants will either join a group engaging in weekly visual art activities and exercise games (referred to as Community Recreation) or be part of a control group with no activities. The researchers aim to determine if these activities can boost attention, balance, and strength. This trial suits older adults with mild cognitive issues who can safely exercise and speak English fluently. As an unphased trial, it offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance the quality of life for older adults.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this program is safe for older adults?

A previous study showed that art therapy improved thinking skills in older adults with mild memory and attention problems. Another study found that expressive arts therapy boosted mental health and thinking abilities in people with dementia.

For exergaming, research has shown it can improve thinking skills in people with mild memory issues and dementia, including benefits for decision-making and focus. Another study found that exergames might enhance both physical and mental abilities in older adults with memory problems, suggesting they are generally safe and helpful.

Overall, both art therapy and exergaming are considered safe and well-tolerated. These studies have reported no major safety concerns, making them promising options for improving brain health in older adults. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the "Artmaking and Exergaming" approach for cognitive impairment because it combines creativity with physical activity to stimulate both the brain and body. Unlike traditional treatments that might rely on medication or cognitive exercises alone, this method encourages participants to engage in visual artmaking and dual-task exergaming. This unique combination aims to enhance cognitive function by simultaneously challenging mental and physical faculties, offering a holistic and engaging way to potentially improve cognitive health.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for cognitive impairment?

Research has shown that activities like artmaking and playing active video games can boost brain function in older adults. In this trial, participants in the "Artmaking and Exergaming" arm will engage in weekly group-based visual artmaking and dual-task exergaming. Studies have found that these games can improve memory and thinking skills in people with mild memory problems and dementia. Creating art has also been linked to better brain function and reduced anxiety and depression in older adults. Additionally, playing active games can enhance quality of life and reduce depression in seniors with dementia. These activities support both mental and physical health, making them promising tools for improving brain function. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (scoring at least 24 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment) who can safely exercise according to ACSM guidelines and are fluent in English. It's not suitable for those with contraindications to physical activity.

Inclusion Criteria

My cognitive function is good (MoCA score ≥ 24).

I can safely exercise according to health guidelines.

I am fluent in English.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in weekly group-based visual artmaking and dual-task exergaming

24 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Community Recreation

Trial Overview The study tests a recreational program involving group visual artmaking and dual-task exergaming, focusing on their effects on cognitive functions like attention and memory, physical abilities such as balance and strength, as well as overall task performance.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Artmaking and Exergaming Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Weekly group-based visual artmaking and dual-task exergaming

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

No artmaking, no exergaming

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

State University of New York at Buffalo

Lead Sponsor

Trials

279

Recruited

52,600+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12396775/

Development and Testing of an Exergaming and Artmaking ... In this review, visual artmaking was also associated with lower depression and anxiety scores among cognitively impaired and cognitively intact ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0197457223000903

Effects of exergaming in older individuals with mild ... The findings suggest that exergaming impacts cognitive functions in people with MCI and dementia. Cognitive benefits are demonstrated for those with a longer ...

3. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/395034771_Development_and_Testing_of_an_Exergaming_and_Artmaking_Program_to_Enhance_Cognitive_and_Physical_Function_in_Older_Adults_Results_of_a_Community-Based_Pilot_Study

Development and Testing of an Exergaming and Artmaking ... Conclusion Visual art therapy could be effective in improving cognitive functions and the associated psychological symptoms. Therefore, it can ...

4. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10848223251359669

An Exploration of Exergaming for People Living with ... The study found that active game play was effective in improving quality of life and alleviating depression in older adults with dementia, ...

5. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocn.17625

The Effects of Exergaming on the Depressive Symptoms ... ○ This review showed that exergaming improves depressive symptoms in older adults with dementia, showing a large effect size in the meta- ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12480809/

Visual art therapy for cognitive and emotional enhancement in ... This review offers new insights into the empirical evidence supporting the use of visual art therapy for improving cognitive function in both ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197457220303657

Effects of expressive arts therapy in older adults with mild ... Expressive arts therapy (EAT) can potentially improve cognition and mental health in patients with dementia.

8. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07163377

Effect of Art Therapy on Cognitive and Hand Functions ... This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of art therapy on cognitive functions and hand functions in individuals ...

9. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-95051-5

Effects of an art-based intervention in older adults with ... This study aims to evaluate the effects of a creative expressive art-based storytelling accompanied by caregivers (CrEAS-AC) program on reducing behavioral and ...

10. bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-025-04085-z

Effects of an integrated social-art intervention on cognitive and ... This study aimed to evaluate the effects of such an intervention on cognitive and psychosocial outcomes in older adults with MCI. Methods. An ...