ADarte: un progetto per persone con malattia di Alzheimer
AM Fasanaro, O. Musella, A. Carloni, L. De Simone, C. Federico E. Di Bartolo, G. Gaeta,
and P. Di Maggio
U.V.A. A. Cardarelli, Associazione MAKE’, Soprintendenza BAP PSAE
Background
Some experiences suggest that visual art, acting on the emotional circuits that are preserved for a long time during the
course of Alzheimer disease (AD) may improve patient's mood, socialization and self-esteem, also stimulating the
preservation of residual cognitive abilities. (1'2')
Objective
Improve patient's well-being, stimulate interest and social interaction through having visual art in a suitable setting.
Method
AD patients of any gravity level take part to weekly meetings, based on observation of some visual art operas, selected
with predefined criteria. Through the observation a semi structured conversation is developed including aesthetic
evaluation, comparisons and association among memories. During each meeting new masterpieces are added to the
patient's favourite ones. The psychological well-being is weighed through the POMS test(3) and care giver's detailed
evaluation.
Results:
Tab.1: Sample
Pz. AGE GENDER MMSE ADL IADL
1 61 M 26 6 3
2 82 F 11 1 0
3 81 M 23 4 4
4 71 M 18 5 2
5 88 F 23 4 3
Tab.2 pre and post test POMS results
Tension Depression Aggressiveness Strength Tiredness Confusion
Pz.
Anxiety Dejection Anger Energy Indolence Disconcertment
ante post ante post ante post ante post ante post ante post
1 1 1 4 6 6 7 24 24 1 1 7 3
2 0 - 1 - 2 - 23 - 2 - 5 -
3 14 19 13 14 29 33 13 20 11 10 8 10
4 6 2 9 1 5 0 10 15 6 2 8 7
5 5 0 8 7 2 1 19 25 5 3 9 6
Conclusions:
In the post test, patients showed an improvement of Strength-Energy and Tiredness-Indolence scales. In gross all the
items had a positive trend. The experience give rise to interests, stimulate spontaneous speech and expression of
personal moods .Patients were involved and interested and asked to continue that experience. Relatives confirmed an
improvement of patients' mood.
The project will be extended to a larger sample and include tours and visits to museum's ateliers, in collaboration with
Soprintendenza BAP PSAE of Real Palace of Naples.
Bibliography:
1R. Kennedy, The Pablo Picasso Alzheimer's Therapy, New York Times on the web, October 30, 2005
2A.M. Fasanaro, O. Musella, Visual Art in Alzheimer disease: a tool for therapy, research or both?,
Pharmacologyonline 2:6-14, 2006
3 A. M. Fasanaro, O. Musella, Alzheimer 100 anni dopo. La malattia nei dipinti di C. Horn, W. Utermohlen e W. De
Kooning, newsletter sul portale dell’Ospedale Cardarelli, Settembre 2006.
4Brain ageing and dementia in developing countries, Simposio WHO , Nairobi , Aprile 2007.
5 D. McNair, M. Lorr, L. F. Droppleman, POMS Profile of Mood States, Organizzazioni Speciali, 1971
http://www.moma.org/about_moma/press/2006/alzheimersMainSite.pdf
http://moma.org/press/images/press/news/MoMA_Alzheimers_Project_Release.pdf
http://www.moma.org/education/alzheimers.html