Effect of Art Therapy on Cognitive and Hand Functions of Alzheimer's Patients

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impairments in memory, executive functions, attention, and activities of daily living. As the disease advances, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination are also affected, limiting independence in self-care and functional tasks. Non-pharmacological approaches that target both cognitive and motor abilities are increasingly emphasized as complementary strategies to pharmacological treatment. Art therapy is a creative intervention that incorporates activities such as mandala coloring, collage making, clay modeling, and drawing. Previous studies have shown that art therapy may stimulate neuroplasticity, improve attention and memory, reduce anxiety and behavioral symptoms, and enhance quality of life in individuals with dementia. However, limited evidence exists regarding its specific effects on fine motor performance and hand function in patients with Alzheimer's disease. This randomized controlled trial is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week structured art therapy program on cognitive functions and hand dexterity in individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Participants (n=50) will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving art therapy twice weekly for 60 minutes per session, or a control group receiving no intervention. Outcome measures include the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for global cognitive function, surface electromyography (sEMG) of forearm muscles to assess motor activity, and the Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT) to evaluate fine motor dexterity. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention. The study hypothesizes that participants in the art therapy group will demonstrate significant improvements in cognitive performance and fine motor abilities compared to the control group. The results are expected to provide evidence supporting the integration of art therapy as a feasible, low-cost, and non-pharmacological intervention in the rehabilitation of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.