Digital art learning for cognitive and psychological functioning among older adults: a randomized controlled trial protocol

Abstract Background Japan has one of the foremost aging populations in the world, and from a dementia prevention perspective, effective and easy-to-implement approaches to dementia prevention are becoming increasingly important. Artistic activities have been suggested to improve cognitive function and psychological well-being among older adults. Although visual art therapy has been shown to improve cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairment, studies targeting healthy older individuals are limited. Furthermore, considering the spread of digital art, incorporating digital devices into art engagement for older adults may improve cognitive function. This study protocol aims to clarify the effects of digital art learning interventions on the cognitive and psychological functions of healthy older individuals, as well as the relationships between drawing movement data and related variables. Methods Eighty older adults will be randomly assigned to the digital art group or the control group (1:1). The digital art group will take part in a participatory digital art learning program, with lessons once a week for six months, while the control group will continue their usual daily lives. All participants will undergo cognitive and psychological function tests before and after the intervention. The effects of the program on cognitive and psychological functions, the primary outcome, will be determined by a two-way analysis of variance of the results of cognitive and psychological function tests before and after the intervention. To further clarify the mechanism of intervention effects in the digital art group, the relationship between the test results before and after the intervention and related indicators, such as drawing motion, will be clarified using the structural equation modeling. Discussion The study aims to clarify the effects of continuous digital art learning on the cognitive and psychological functions of healthy older individuals. The characteristics of this study are threefold: emphasis on preventive approaches, utilization of digital technology in art interventions for older adults, and utilization of drawing motion data obtained from digital pens in the analysis. The digital art learning developed through this study is expected to enrich the lives of older adults. Trial registration This study was registered with the UMINCTR (UMIN000051427) on June 23, 2023.