QNA FOLLOW-UP FOR ‘ARTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH’ WEBINAR

A/Prof Rathi Mahendran:

There are several ways in which art improves mental wellness: art activity especially if one does it for enjoyment and to relax, has a calming effect and helps relieve stress. Creating a piece of art work, provides a sense of accomplishment and boosts self-esteem.

Various cognitive abilities are engaged in the process, which can enhance memory, attention, visuo-spatial skills and concentration. Involvement in art can also provide the distraction from one’s problems and thoughts. There is evidence to suggest that there is associated release of neurotransmitters which aids with a feeling of wellness.

A/Prof Rathi Mahendran:

Yes, an interesting idea but given how packed the medical curriculum is, it might be a challenge to add this to the curriculum. But I do think students and not only those in a medical course should be introduced to ways they can look after their mental health and well-being, build their resilience and enhance their coping skills.  

A/Prof Rathi Mahendran:

I am not clear about the question and I am assuming you are asking whether the study participants continued with art activity outside of the weekly intervention sessions. We did not specifically forbid art activities outside of the intervention sessions because that would not have been fair to the study participants and what we were offering in the study was Art Therapy.

The nature of the intervention “art as therapy” may not be exactly reproducible by an individual. The relationship with the therapist, the facilitated discussions by the therapist and the discussions with other study participants in each session are important components of the study’s therapeutic intervention.

So even if they continued with art activities on their own whilst participating in the study, I do not think if would have affected and biased the study. 

The mentioned study was a 9-month longitudinal study. There is now a 6-month study on Chinese Ink Painting.

A/Prof Rathi Mahendran:

This was done by our co-investigator A/Prof Alan Kumar and his team. It involves extracting the DNA from blood samples and then measuring telomere length using a special assay kit.  The detailed steps have been written up in the Trials paper which can be accessed.

A/Prof Rathi Mahendran:

No, we haven’t, but I think it has been shown that participation in more than one activity can be beneficial. Intuitively a wide spectrum of interests can add to an individual’s life experience, satisfaction, enjoyment, quality of life and a wider circle of friends.

Just to add, on a slightly different aspect, there is evidence that dual task activities confer more benefits. One such instance is exercising and doing a mental activity like counting at the same time.

A/Prof Rathi Mahendran:

Oh yes, for anyone in any age group who is keen to participate in such activities. There are various categories of Art and one has to be clear whether it is Art as an enjoyable activity or Art as Therapy with specific objectives. The Art Therapy program should therefore be tailored accordingly to the needs of the group and the objectives.

A/Prof Rathi Mahendran:

Neuroplasticity has been defined as the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections and pathways throughout life in response to the stimulation of learning and experience.  Neurogenesis is the ability to grow new neurons and connections. Neurogenesis could be viewed as part of neuroplasticity.  

A/Prof Rathi Mahendran:

No. We did not have people who disliked drawing in the study, because they probably opted out of the study at the Recruitment stage.

A/Prof Rathi Mahendran:

I am not sure this has been specifically studied in children. Most of the studies have been in older adults.

A/Prof Rathi Mahendran:

Neurocognitive assessments at baseline, 3 and 9 months include:

• Rey auditory verbal learning test (RAVLT) List Learning
• Delayed Recall
• Recognition Trial (Memory)
• Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-3rd edition (WAIS-III) Block design (Visuospatial abilities)
• Digit Span Forward (Attention and Working Memory)
• Color Trails Test 2 (Executive function)

Psychological wellbeing was assessed at baseline, 3 and 9 months with the:

• Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
• Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI)

 Sleep quality was assessed using a 100-point visual analog scale (VAS)  

The Trials paper in the Reference list have the details.

A/Prof Rathi Mahendran:

Similar to Question 1. Additionally, the focused attention and concentration when creating an art piece has similarities with meditative practice.

A/Prof Rathi Mahendran:

Each Art Therapy session was for 40 mins each week – subdivided into two 20 mins sessions with a 10-minute toilet break in between. The older subjects had no problems with the two 20-minute sessions.

Mr Darius Lim:

Singing is different from playing an instrument because for singing, the instrument exists in the body and provides a greater level of connection coupled with the text in songs that instruments are not able to replicate. Singing alone is good as it helps to relieve stress and allows individual expression. Singing in a group has that added level of motivation and social interaction where you are building a sound together.

Dr Ling Sing Lin:

If you have the skill to play an instrument, it relieves stress too. But if you can’t, it is easier to sing. Singing by yourself helps to reduce stress, and during the pandemic, it is the best way. The advantage of choral singing is that it allows you to socialize as well, but socialization takes some time to develop.

Mr Darius Lim:

Any form of singing is good as long as it is music that uplifts. Heavy metal is not recommended. But singing in a community or group helps to provide more social interaction and a platform to destress.