Arts-based interventions for people living with dementia: Measuring ‘in the moment’ wellbeing with the Canterbury Wellbeing Scales

Sarah Strohmaier,Sebastian J Crutch,Sabina Hulbert,Emilie V Brotherhood,Karl M Homans,Emma Harding,Paul M Camic

doi:10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16596.1

Abstract

Background: There is growing acknowledgement for the need to move beyond exclusive biomedical understandings of dementia and also focus on how to improve the lives and wellbeing of people living with dementia. A mounting body of research advocates for the benefits of arts-based interventions for this population. The purpose of this study was to explore the links between multiple components of arts-based interventions and subjective wellbeing in order to help assess if these activities might contribute to meaningful community-based dementia care initiatives. Methods: Using previously collected data across different intervention sites, a within- and between- participants design was used that assessed wellbeing through the Canterbury Wellbeing Scales (CWS) in people with mild-to-moderate dementias (N = 201) who participated in various community arts-based interventions (ABI). Data were analysed using non-parametric statistical analyses and bootstrapped moderation models. Results: Increases in subjective wellbeing were associated with all forms of ABI. Co-creative sessions significantly strengthened the relationship between number of sessions attended and overall wellbeing as well as optimism. No significant moderating effect was observed between number of sessions attended and carer presence. Conclusions: In the largest study of its kind to date to assess wellbeing using arts activities in a community-based dementia sample, findings support the use and acceptability of the CWS as a measurement tool for people with early-to-middle stages of dementia and suggest that the CWS can reliably measure wellbeing in this population. In addition, the positive effect of arts-based interactions on specific aspects of wellbeing were found, which provide a better understanding of the conditions under which these effects can be prolonged and sustained. Further research is needed to better understand the environmental, social, and psychological mechanisms through which these improvements operate.

Highlights

Dementia Dementia is an umbrella term that refers to a collection of syndromes rather than a singular disease affecting memory, cognition and behaviour, and has a substantial impact on an individual’s daily functioning (Alzheimer’s Association, 2019)
Wellbeing is one of several areas of study considered within the conceptual framework of positive psychology, which is an approach that examines human strengths, assets, and capabilities (Seligman, 2011) as opposed to medical and dominant psychological models that attend to problems, deficits, and treatments
Using an existing database of attendance at various types of arts-based interventions (ABI), the current study aimed to explore which components of ABI are associated with wellbeing for people living with dementia

Summary

Introduction

Dementia Dementia is an umbrella term that refers to a collection of syndromes rather than a singular disease affecting memory, cognition and behaviour, and has a substantial impact on an individual’s daily functioning (Alzheimer’s Association, 2019). In the absence of effective disease-modifying pharmacological treatments for dementia there is a growing acknowledgement of the need to move beyond biological interventions with a greater focus on the social context of people with dementia and carers to promote wellbeing (NICE, 2019). The purpose of this study was to explore the links between multiple components of arts-based interventions and subjective wellbeing in order to help assess if these activities might contribute to meaningful communitybased dementia care initiatives. Methods: Using previously collected data across different intervention sites, a within- and between- participants design was used that assessed wellbeing through the Canterbury Wellbeing Scales (CWS) in people with mild-to-moderate dementias (N = 201) who participated in various community arts-based interventions (ABI). Conclusions: In the largest study of its kind to date to assess version 3 (revision)

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