Resources
A Community Choir Intervention to Promote Well-Being Among Diverse Older Adults: Results From the Community of Voices Trial
via The Oxford Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences | Research and Studies
This article reports on a randomized control study of the effects of a Community of Voices choir intervention on the “health, well-being and health care costs of racial/ethnically diverse” adults 60 years and older. Sixty-five …
The Value of Active Arts Engagement on Health and Well-Being of Older Adults: A Nation-Wide Participatory Study
via International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | Research and Studies
This article reports on a nationwide participatory study carried out in the Netherlands that used both qualitative and quantitative methods to document the perceived value of arts engagement by those taking part in 18 arts-based …
Participation in Life-Review Playback Theater Enhances Mental Health of Community-dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
via Psychology of Aesthetics Creativity and the Arts | Research and Studies
This article reports on a randomized control trial designed to assess the mental health effects of community-dwelling older adults’ participation in a 12-week playback theatre program. Playback theatre is a form of improvisational theatre that, …
Active and Receptive Arts Participation and Their Association with Mortality Among Adults in the U.S.
via PubMed | Research and Studies
Epidemiological studies on the arts are not common in the United States, especially studies on active engagement by older adults. This national study addressed associations between arts participation and mortality, including both passive and active …
What is the Evidence on the Role of the Arts in Improving Health and Well-being? A Scoping Review (2019)
via World Health Organization (WHO) | Reports
From the abstract: Over the past two decades, there has been a major increase in research into the effects of the arts on health and well-being, alongside developments in practice and policy activities in different …
Subjective Experiences of Participatory Arts Engagement of Healthy Older People and Explorations of Creative Aging
Articles and Blog Posts
This research reports on findings from a qualitative focus group study designed to assess the experiences of healthy older people, living at home, who engaged in participatory arts activities. What makes the study stand out …
White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise
Research and Studies
Scientists at Colorado State University’s BRAiN Lab recently reported on study findings showing “that white matter regions that are vulnerable to aging retain some degree of plasticity that can be induced by aerobic exercise training.” …
Arts engagement trends in the United Kingdom and their mental and social wellbeing implications: HEartS Survey
Research and Studies
Over the past two decades evidence about the role of the arts in promoting health and wellbeing has grown substantially, including studies reporting the impacts of arts engagement for older adults. However, much evidence is …
Creative ageing: participation, connection & flourishing. A mixed-methods research study exploring experiences of participatory arts engagement in later life through a systematic review of literature and focus groups with older people
Research and Studies
From the abstract: “Background: A rapidly increasing ageing population has significant consequences for the demography, health and wellbeing of our society. Participatory arts programmes and activities can contribute to health promotion in later life, by …
Interventions to Reduce Ageism Against Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
via American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) | Research and Studies
From the abstract: “Research has found a strong link between ageism, in the form of negative stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination toward older people, and risks to their physical and mental health. Little is known, however, …