Visuospatial exploration and art therapy intervention in patients with Parkinson's disease: an exploratory therapeutic protocol.

Visuospatial exploration and art therapy intervention in patients with Parkinson's disease: an exploratory therapeutic protocol. Complement Ther Med. 2018 Oct;40:70-76 Authors: Cucca A, Acosta I, Berberian M, Lemen AC, Rizzo JR, Ghilardi MF, Quartarone A, Feigin AS, Di Rocco A, Biagioni MC Abstract Though abnormalities of visuospatial function occur in Parkinson's disease, the impact of such deficits on functional independence and psychological wellbeing has been historically under- recognized, and effective treatments for this impairment are unknown. These symptoms can be encountered at any stage of the disease, affecting many activities of daily living, and negatively influencing mood, self-efficacy, independence, and overall quality of life. Furthermore, visuospatial dysfunction has been recently linked to gait impairment and falls, symptoms that are known to be poor prognostic factors. Here, we aim to present an original modality of neurorehabilitation designed to address visuospatial dysfunction and related symptoms in Parkinson's disease, known as "Art Therapy". Art creation relies on sophisticated neurologic mechanisms including shape recognition, motion perception, sensory-motor integration, abstraction, and eye-hand coordination. Furthermore, art therapy may enable subjects with disability to understand their emotions and express them through artistic creation and creative thinking, thus promoting self-awareness, relaxation,...
Source: Complementary Therapies in Medicine - Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Tags: Complement Ther Med Source Type: research