Impact of combined art-based intervention on functional connectivity of multiple brain networks in older adults along the cognitive continuum: result from a parallel randomised controlled trial

• Published in: BMC psychiatry Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 307 - 12
• Main Authors: Yan, Yuan-Jiao, Lin, Rong, Luo, Yu-Ting, Huang, Chen-Shan, Cai, Wen-Chao, Su, Jia-Wei, Lin, Sheng-Mei, Lin, Mo-Jun, Li, Hong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 31.03.2025; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Aged; Alzheimer's disease; Art therapy; Art Therapy - methods; Brain; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Brain plasticity; Brain research; Care and treatment; Central neural mechanisms; Cerebellum; Clinical outcomes; Cognition; Cognition & reasoning; Cognition - physiology; Cognitive ability; Cognitive Dysfunction - therapy; Cognitive function; Continuum of care; Dementia; Development and progression; Female; Functional network connectivity; Health aspects; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Intervention; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Memory; Middle Aged; Nerve Net - diagnostic imaging; Nerve Net - physiopathology; Neural networks; Neuroimaging; Neuropsychological Tests; Older people; Patient outcomes; Population aging; Psychological aspects; Visual cortex; China; Central neural mechanisms; Art therapy; Brain plasticity; Alzheimer’s disease; Cognitive function; Functional network connectivity
• ISSN: 1471-244X; 1471-244X
• DOI: 10.1186/s12888-025-06741-3

Combined art-based interventions (CAIs) are considered effective treatment options for older adults along the cognitive continuum; however, the neural mechanisms underlying associated changes in neurocognitive performance remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate the impact of a CAI programme in older adults along the cognitive continuum and to understand its mechanism. This parallel-arm randomised controlled trial was conducted between April 2021 and January 2023. Participants were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to either intervention group (IG) or waitlist control group (WG). The IG underwent a 16-week CAI programme. Neuropsychological assessments and magnetic resonance imaging were conducted before and after the intervention. After the intervention, the IG showed greater improvement in general cognitive function, language, and memory than the WG. Significant differences were observed in the functional connectivity (FC) values in the temporal and cerebellar anterior lobes, fusiform, inferior occipital, and lingual gyri, and perirhinal and visual cortices between the groups. Further analyses showed that FC values were reduced in these regions in the IG. In addition, changes in FC values were positively correlated with those in neuropsychological test scores in the IG. Our study suggests that the CAI programme can effectively improve general cognitive function, language, and memory in older adults along the cognitive continuum. These improvements may be changed due to decreases in FC in key brain regions, deepening the understanding of the neurocentral mechanisms that act as a tool for improving cognitive function. This trial was registered at ChiCTR.org. Identifier: ChiCTR2100044959, 03/04/2021.