The effect of creative expression program in neurocognitive networks performance measured by task and resting-state functional MRI

Abstract

Background: The current study examined the effects of a 16-week creative expression program on brain activity during a story creating task and resting-state functional network connectivity in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) adults. Method: Thirty-six MCI adults were allocated to either the creative expression program (CrExp, n = 18) or control group (CG,n = 18). Before and after intervention, all participants were scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during story creating task performance and a resting state. The two-group comparison was calculated between the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal changes for each cluster to investigate the differences in fMRI activation and functional connectivity (FC) between two groups. Results: Task activation analyses showed an increase in the right anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG), right medial frontal gyrus (MFG), right lentiform nucleus (LN), left hippocampus (HIP), left middle occipital gyrus (MOG), and left cerebellum posterior lobe (CPL) (p < 0.05). Story creating performance improvements were associated with greater activation in the left HIP region. Resting-state functional connectivity (FC) between left HIP and certain other brain areas shown a significant interaction of creative expression group versus control group. Moreover, connectivity between the right angular gyrus (ANG), right inferior temporal gyrus (ITG), right superior occipital gyrus (SOG), left ANG, and left MFG were related to improved cognitive performance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These data extend current knowledge by indicating that the creative expression program can improve cognitive activation in MCI, and these enhancements may be related to the neurocognitive network plasticity changes induced by creative expression training.

Creative expression in mild cognitive impairment: beyond neurocognitive benefits

“…Creative expression intervention usually involves art activities such as drawing, storytelling, and group discussion, as Zhao et al (2022) designed. The cognitive stimulating training program is another nonpharmacology intervention based on the theory of "use it or lose it."…”

“…In the current issue of International Psychogeriatrics , Zhao and colleagues reported that a 25-session creative expression intervention may shape the brain function of individuals with MCI (Zhao et al ., 2022). Using task-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers observed an increased brain activation in the right anterior cingulate gyrus, the right middle frontal gyrus, the right lentiform nucleus, the left hippocampus, the left middle occipital gyrus, and the left cerebellum posterior lobe in the intervention group.…”

“…Creative expression intervention usually involves art activities such as drawing, storytelling, and group discussion, as Zhao et al (2022) designed. The cognitive stimulating training program is another nonpharmacology intervention based on the theory of “use it or lose it.” Similarly, it engages persons with dementia in enjoyable cognitive activities delivered in a small group, aiming to stimulate a range of cognitive skills in a social setting (Spector et al ., 2003).…”

“…Interestingly, we notice that the brain regions, such as the occipital gyrus and cerebellum lobe, were also more activated after creative expression training (Zhao et al ., 2022). These regions were primarily involved in sensory and motor processing, which is also required to fulfill creative tasks.…”

“…First, Zhao and colleagues did not provide sufficient details to help interpret the associations among creative expression, cognitive function, and brain network (Zhao et al ., 2022). As discussed earlier, creative expression requires multiple skills and diverse cognitive and emotional processing capacities.…”