Bridging Art Therapy and Neuroscience: Emotional Expression and Communication in an Individual With Late-Stage Alzheimer’s

Although individual and group art therapy is beneficial for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), progression of the disease negatively affects visual processing, which suggests the need to modify art-based interventions. This case study (N = 1) used a psychological well-being scale to compare nonmodified art therapy for an individual with advanced AD and a modified, visually enhanced art therapy intervention for the participant’s emotional expression and communication skills. The intervention was tailored to overcome disease-related visuo-perceptual deficits. Findings suggest positive changes in 4 domains of psychological well-being: (a) engagement, (b) expression of pleasure, (c) enhanced self-esteem, and (d) expression of emotions and feelings during AD adapted, visually enhanced art therapy sessions. Further research is needed to support these results.