A protocol to assess cognition, emotion, social support, and quality of life in art-based interventions for neurodegenerative diseases (ACESQ-ART)

Arts on prescription is a promising approach that may provide valuable, complementary, non-pharmacological interventions for general well-being and for alleviating symptoms across a range of conditions. Indeed, at the preventive level, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that art-based activities can benefit people’s well-being. However, in the context of neurodegenerative diseases, the evidence for arts on prescription remains limited, particularly regarding cognitive outcomes. Given the small number of studies and the need for robust methodology to support health policy, we propose a protocol to assess the outcomes of art-based interventions and prescription activities in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, the protocol addresses cognition, emotions, mood, and multiple dimensions of quality of life. For cognition, we include a set of measures comprising clinical assessments, self-report instruments, and computer-based experimental tasks that are freely available. This protocol enables systematic investigation across art-based programs and clinical populations, facilitating cross-center data pooling and advancing understanding of the potential of arts to promote health and well-being in aging and age-related disorders.