Visual Arts for Feasibility Studies
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial examines how engaging with visual arts affects mental sharpness and well-being in older adults. Participants will either learn drawing techniques (observational drawing training) or explore art through digital galleries (arts engagement through digital galleries). The trial aims to determine if these activities can enhance skills like attention and perception. Individuals aged 55 to 85 with basic English skills and less than two years of formal art training may be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore the potential cognitive benefits of art engagement.
What prior data suggests that these arts-based interventions are safe for older adults?
Research has shown that drawing is generally safe and well-tolerated. Studies have found that it can reduce stress and encourage openness in sharing thoughts. Additionally, drawing enhances skills such as attention to detail and observation, all without harmful side effects.
The other activity, exploring digital art galleries, involves learning about art and viewing galleries online. This activity is usually safe, as it primarily involves observing art and learning about various styles and periods. Both activities in this study engage participants with art in different ways, and no known negative effects are associated with them.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about these visual arts treatments because they offer a fresh approach to enhancing cognitive skills like perception and attention. Unlike traditional cognitive training programs that might use repetitive mental exercises or computer-based tasks, the Participatory Arts arm engages participants in hands-on drawing techniques, such as gesture and contour drawing, which stimulate various cognitive domains through active creativity. Meanwhile, the Receptive Arts arm provides an immersive learning experience by guiding participants through digital galleries, enriching their understanding of art history and styles in a way that's both educational and engaging. These methods could potentially offer a more enjoyable and culturally enriching path to cognitive enhancement compared to standard exercises.
What evidence suggests that these arts-based interventions could be effective for older adults?
This trial will compare two approaches to arts engagement. Participants in the "Participatory Arts" arm will develop drawing skills by learning specific techniques and engaging cognitive domains such as perception and visuospatial reasoning. Research has shown that observational drawing can enhance thinking skills in older adults, helping them focus on details and understand spatial relationships.
In contrast, participants in the "Receptive Arts" arm will learn about different art periods and browse online galleries. Activities like viewing digital art galleries can increase knowledge of art history and improve understanding of visual information. Although there's less direct evidence about their impact on thinking skills, engaging with art remains mentally stimulating and enjoyable.678910Who Is on the Research Team?
Susanne Jaeggi, PhD
Principal Investigator
Northeastern University
Aaron Seitz, PhD
Principal Investigator
Northeastern University
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Pre-test
Participants complete baseline assessments before starting the intervention
Treatment
Participants engage in either drawing-based or virtual gallery interventions for 6 weeks
Post-test
Participants complete assessments after the intervention to evaluate changes
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Arts engagement through digital galleries
- Training in observational drawing
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participants will develop drawing skills through learning specific techniques and deliberately engaging cognitive domains such as perception, visuospatial reasoning, attention, and processing speed. The intervention is completed in a hybrid format where lessons are completed online and practice is completed in a sketchbook and drawing things from life. Prompts are provided to guide daily practice sessions. Techniques learned include contour drawing, gesture drawing, negative space drawing.
Participants will learn about different art periods and browse online galleries. The materials will be available online through a website through which participants will access and browse online galleries. Weekly topics include genres, subjects, or specific mediums. Prompts and vocabulary will accompany the galleries to guide their learning.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Northeastern University
Lead Sponsor
Citations
1.
research.gold.ac.uk
research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/25885/1/Learning%20to%20see%20by%20learning%20to%20draw.pdfRepresentational Drawing Training and Visuospatial Skill ...
Relative to a control group, the authors reported that the art students became more creative and improved in their ability to produce gesture drawings after art ...
Visuospatial components of drawing skill correlate with mental ...
Visuospatial reasoning is an important cognitive skill involving the manipulation and representation of objects in space. This skill plays a critical role ...
Drawing as a versatile cognitive tool - PMC - NIH
Drawing is a cognitive tool that makes the invisible contents of mental life visible. Humans use this tool to produce a remarkable variety of pictures.
Promoting Successful Cognitive Aging Through Observational ...
Our study illustrates that drawing skills can be improved in older adulthood and highlights the potential of visual arts training in promoting cognition and ...
Visual arts training is linked to flexible attention to local and ...
Observational drawing skill has been shown to be associated with the ability to focus on local visual details. It is unclear whether superior performance in ...
How drawing practice enhances distress tolerance in ... - PMC
The results indicated that drawing practice is associated with higher psychological resilience and greater self-disclosure, both of which are ...
Using drawing and situated learning to teach transitional care ...
The “draw-and-talk” technique has become popular in medical training, as it can help healthcare practitioners develop empathic understanding ...
The Power of the Sketchbook: Why Observational Drawing ...
It's Not About Talent, It's About Training: Observational drawing trains your eye to notice subtle shifts in light, perspective, and form.
Through a Glass Darkly: The Teaching and Assessment of ...
This article attempts to investigate how drawing is taught and assessed in post-16 schools and colleges, particularly on A Level art and design ...
Capturing Life: The Art and Joy of Observational Drawing
In addition, observational drawing is crucial for developing soft skills that may be more difficult to define, such as attention to detail.
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