TY - JOUR

T1 - Exploring the theoretical foundations of visual art programmes for people living with dementia

AU - Windle, Gillian

AU - Gregory, Samantha

AU - Howson-Griffiths, Teri

AU - Newman, Andrew

AU - O'Brien, Dave

AU - Goulding, Anna

N1 - Dementia and Imagination was funded as ‘Dementia and imagination: connecting communities and developing wellbeing through socially engaged visual arts practice’, Grant Ref: AH/K00333X/1, by the AHRC and ESRC as a part of the Cross-Council Connected Communities Programme.

PY - 2018/8/1

Y1 - 2018/8/1

N2 - Despite the growing international innovations for visual arts interventions in dementia care, limited attention has been paid to their theoretical basis. In response, this paper explores how and why visual art interventions in dementia care influence changes in outcomes. The theory building process consists of a realist review of primary research on visual art programmes. This aims touncover what works, for whom, how, why and in what circumstances. We undertook a qualitative exploration of stakeholder perspectives of art programmes, and then synthesised these two pieces of work alongside broader theory to produce a conceptual framework for intervention development, further research and practice. This suggests effective programmes are realised throughessential attributes of two key conditions (provocative and stimulating aesthetic experience; dynamic and responsive artistic practice).These conditions are important for cognitive, social and individual responses, leading to benefits for people with early to more advanced dementia. This work represents a starting point at identifying theories of change for arts interventions, and for further research to critically examine, refine and strengthen the evidence base for the arts in dementia care. Understanding the theoretical basis of interventions is important for service development, evaluation and implementation.

AB - Despite the growing international innovations for visual arts interventions in dementia care, limited attention has been paid to their theoretical basis. In response, this paper explores how and why visual art interventions in dementia care influence changes in outcomes. The theory building process consists of a realist review of primary research on visual art programmes. This aims touncover what works, for whom, how, why and in what circumstances. We undertook a qualitative exploration of stakeholder perspectives of art programmes, and then synthesised these two pieces of work alongside broader theory to produce a conceptual framework for intervention development, further research and practice. This suggests effective programmes are realised throughessential attributes of two key conditions (provocative and stimulating aesthetic experience; dynamic and responsive artistic practice).These conditions are important for cognitive, social and individual responses, leading to benefits for people with early to more advanced dementia. This work represents a starting point at identifying theories of change for arts interventions, and for further research to critically examine, refine and strengthen the evidence base for the arts in dementia care. Understanding the theoretical basis of interventions is important for service development, evaluation and implementation.

U2 - 10.1177/1471301217726613

DO - 10.1177/1471301217726613

M3 - Article

SP - 1

EP - 20

JO - Dementia: International Journal of Social Research and Practice

JF - Dementia: International Journal of Social Research and Practice

SN - 1471-3012

ER -