Please cite this publication as follows:Tyack, Charles S. M., Camic, Paul M., Herron, A. and Hulbert, S. (2015)

Introduction: Previous research has shown that people with dementia and caregivers derive wellbeing-related benefits from viewing art in a group, and that facilitated museum object handling is effective in increasing subjective wellbeing for people with a range of health conditions. The present study quantitatively compared the impact of two museum-based activities and a social activity on the subjective wellbeing of people with dementia and their caregivers. Methods: A quasi-experimental crossover design was used. People with early to middle stage dementia and caregivers (N ¼ 66) participated in museum object handling, a refreshment break, and art viewing in small groups. Visual analog scales were used to rate subjective wellbeing pre and post each activity. Results: Mixed-design analysis of variances indicated wellbeing significantly increased during the session, irrespective of the order in which the activities were presented. Wellbeing significantly increased from object handling and art viewing for those with dementia and caregivers across

In a quasi-experimental design (N = 80), this study examined the wellbeing impact of handling museum artefacts, by testing for differences across domain, time, gender and stages of dementia. Results indicated people with early and moderate impairment showed positive increases in wellbeing, regardless of the type of dementia but those with early stage dementia showed larger positive increases in wellbeing. We can feel confident that for most people with early to middle stage dementia, handling museum objects in a supportive group environment, increases subjective wellbeing and should be considered part of a health promotion strategy in dementia care.Key words: dementia care, health promotion, wellbeing, museums, object handling, public health IntroductionHow best to care with people living along the continuum of dementia is a worldwide health and social care concern. Much of the focus of care is based on a medical model of assessment and diagnosis often followed by prescribing various medications in hopes of lessening symptoms. Until recently little consideration has been given to the question of how to promote the health and wellbeing of those with dementia and the informal caregivers who are often involved in providing support. Diagnosis of a dementia, whilst important, does not lead to a recognisable care pathway for family members or communities as it might for other long-term conditions such as learning disabilities, diabetes or asthma, for example. Until cures for the various types of dementia have been discovered all nations are confronted with a significant public health problem of how best to care for this population.A range of evidence suggests that interacting with the arts can be beneficial for people's health and wellbeing (Ander et al

BackgroundPeople with severe mental illness have significantly poorer physical health compared to the general population; previous health screening studies conducted outside Asian countries have demonstrated the potential in addressing this issue. This case series aimed to explore the effects and utility of integrating an enhanced physical health screening programme for community dwelling patients with severe mental illness into routine clinical practice in Hong Kong.MethodThis study utilises a consecutive prospective case series design. The serious mental illness Health Improvement Profile (HIP) was used as a screening tool at baseline and repeated at 12 months follow-up.ResultsA total of 148 community-based patients with severe mental illness completed the study. At one year follow-up analysis showed a significant improvement in self-reported levels of exercise and a reduction in the numbers of patients prescribed medications for diabetes However, mean waist circumference increased at follow-up. In addition to the statistically significant results some general trends were observed, including: a lack of deterioration in most areas of cardiovascular risk; a reduction in medicines prescribed for physical health problems; and general improvements in health behaviours over the 12 month period.ConclusionsThe findings demonstrate that using the HIP is feasible and acceptable in Hong Kong. The results of the enhanced physical health-screening programme are promising, but require further testing using a randomised controlled trial design in order to more confidently attribute the improvements in well-being and health behaviours to the HIP.Trial registrationClinical trial registration number: ISRCTN12582470

Please cite this publication as follows:Young, Rhea, Tischler, V., Hulbert, S. and Camic, Paul M. (2015) Findings suggested that the interventions described did not negatively affect cognitive ability in the dimensions measured and the data hints that improvements are possible. . The results provide support for further controlled studies examining the impact of visual art, aesthetics, and art gallery-based programmes on cognition in people with dementia. Further research is required to address the methodological limitations presented in the current study.