This study was investigated the effects of the group art therapy with reminiscence on cognitive function, depression and quality of life of a demented elderly.
For the quasi-experimental research, a total 41 elderly who ranged from 15 to 23 of total ...
This study was investigated the effects of the group art therapy with reminiscence on cognitive function, depression and quality of life of a demented elderly.
For the quasi-experimental research, a total 41 elderly who ranged from 15 to 23 of total scores of MMSE-K, over 65 years, in a long term care facilities in the K city. They were divided into an experimental group with 20 elderly and a control group with 21 elderly. The data were collected from April 30 to August 5, 2004. The structured group art therapy program with reminiscence was applied to the experimental group conducted twice a week, 60 minutes per session for eight weeks.
The second post-test was executed after 4 weeks that performed the experimental treatment between both of the experimental group and control group.
Data were analyzed with SPSS/PC 10.0 program, and general characteristics and homogeneity test with chi-square test, t-test, paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA.
The results were as follows:
There was not significantly difference in the cognitive function between two group but significantly difference between measurement time period of cognitive function.(p=.002). The cognitive function of experimental group offered the group art therapy program with reminiscence was improved because it appeared there was significantly difference in the interaction between group and measurement time period(p=.000). Accordingly, the hypothesis was supported.
As for the hypothesis that the experimental group offered the group art therapy program with reminiscence had less depression scores than the control group, there is significant difference between two groups(p=.020), but no significant difference between measurement time period within the groups(p =.007).
The depression of experimental group offered the group art therapy program with reminiscence was reduced because it appeared there was significant difference in the interaction between group and measurement time period(p=.000). Accordingly, the hypothesis was supported.
As for the hypothesis that the experimental group offered the group art therapy program with reminiscence had higher quality of life scores than the control group, there is significant between two groups(p=.004) and between measurement time period within the groups(p=.000).
The quality of life of experimental group offered the group art therapy program with reminiscence was improved because it appeared there was significant difference in the interaction between group and measurement time period(p=.000). Accordingly, the hypothesis was supported.
These findings proved to be an effective nursing intervention program that the group art therapy program with reminiscence improved the cognitive function and the quality of life, and reduced the depression of the demented elderly. Therefore, it is recommended that this program need to be used in clinical practice as an effective nursing intervention for the demented elderly.