Art, Play, and Neuroplasticity: Advancing Dementia Care Through Art-Enriched Environments
Sr No:
Page No:
47-58
Language:
English
Authors:
Piper Hutson, James Hutson*
Received:
2025-06-02
Accepted:
2025-06-15
Published Date:
2025-06-18
Abstract:
Dementia represents a global public health crisis, characterized not only by progressive memory loss but by a pervasive
decline in cognitive flexibility, social functioning, and overall quality of life. Traditional therapeutic modalities, often limited to
pharmacological management and cognitive training, have yielded only modest gains in symptom mitigation and patient well-being.
Recent advances in neuroscience have illuminated the brain‘s capacity for neuroplasticity—its inherent ability to adapt, reorganize,
and form new neural connections even in advanced age and the presence of neurodegenerative conditions. This emerging
understanding invites a critical re-evaluation of dementia care strategies, highlighting the potential of non-pharmacological
interventions to target underlying neural mechanisms. Within this context, art-enriched environments and playful, multisensory
engagement have gained empirical support as vehicles for fostering neuroplasticity, enhancing mood, and strengthening social bonds
among individuals with dementia. The need for innovative approaches is underscored by the multidimensional and progressive nature
of dementia, which demands holistic interventions addressing cognitive, emotional, and social domains simultaneously. The
significance of this study lies in its synthesis of interdisciplinary research from neuroscience, psychology, and the arts, proposing a
comprehensive framework for integrating structured artistic and play-based activities into dementia care. Through advancing
methodologies that leverage art to stimulate neuroplasticity, this research seeks not only to inform clinical practice but also to inspire
further inquiry into scalable, person-centered interventions that may slow cognitive decline, improve quality of life, and transform the
therapeutic landscape for dementia patients and their caregivers.
Keywords:
Dementia, neuroplasticity, art-enriched environments, play-based intervention, cognitive rehabilitation