
Abstract Background Conventional medical management, while essential, cannot address all multifaceted consequences of Parkinson’s disease (PD). This pilot study explores the potential of a co-designed creative arts therapy on health-related quality of life, well-being, and pertinent non-motor symptoms. Methods We conducted an exploratory pilot study with a pre-post design using validated questionnaires. Eight individuals with PD participated in the program. The investigated intervention was a 10-week creative arts therapy with weekly 90–120-min sessions, guided by three creative therapists. Participants were allowed to autonomously select from multiple creative media based on their personal preferences. Explored co-primary outcomes included health-related quality of life (PDQ-39), well-being (ICECAP-A), anxiety/depression (HADS), executive functioning (BRIEF-A), resilience/mental flexibility (FIT-60), and self-efficacy (GSES). We used paired sample t tests for pre–post analysis of the co-primary outcomes and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for PDQ-39 sub-scores. We also included aesthetic responsiveness (AReA) and healthcare consumption (IMCQ adapted for PD) questionnaires reported as descriptive statistics. Results The results showed a significant reduction in anxiety and an increase in well-being. We also observed a slight improvement in cognitive functioning. Finally, we noted a reduction in healthcare consumption (fewer visits at neurologists, specialized PD nurses, and allied healthcare professionals). Conclusion These findings cautiously suggest that our co-designed, multi-media creative arts therapy has the potential to increase well-being and reduce anxiety, while reducing healthcare consumption. These preliminary findings support the need for a larger, randomized controlled trial to explore the therapeutic potential of creative arts therapy in PD care.
Male, Parkinson's disease, Parkinson Disease/therapy, Well-being, Art Therapy/methods, Pilot Projects, Anxiety, Short Commentary, Creativity, Occupational Therapy, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Anxiety/etiology therapy, Surveys and Questionnaires, Humans, Aged, Neurology - Perception, action and decision-making, Art-based methods, Well-Being, Creativity and Arts Education, Neurology - Radboud University Medical Center, Art Therapy, Parkinson Disease, Middle Aged, Neurology - Development and lifelong plasticity, Creative arts therapy, Mental Health, Medical Psychology - Radboud University Medical Center, Parkinson’s disease, Quality of Life, Female
Male, Parkinson's disease, Parkinson Disease/therapy, Well-being, Art Therapy/methods, Pilot Projects, Anxiety, Short Commentary, Creativity, Occupational Therapy, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Anxiety/etiology therapy, Surveys and Questionnaires, Humans, Aged, Neurology - Perception, action and decision-making, Art-based methods, Well-Being, Creativity and Arts Education, Neurology - Radboud University Medical Center, Art Therapy, Parkinson Disease, Middle Aged, Neurology - Development and lifelong plasticity, Creative arts therapy, Mental Health, Medical Psychology - Radboud University Medical Center, Parkinson’s disease, Quality of Life, Female
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