Digital creative expression programmes for people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment in the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond
A scoping review
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22433933 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Stephen Fay (0000-0002-5883-2606, University for the Creative Arts, corresponding author), Maritza García-Toro (0000-0002-9190-670X, Corporación Universitaria Remington) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication date | 2026-12-31 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Cogent Arts and Humanities (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2331-1983 • E-ISSN: 2331-1983 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/23311983.2026.2694277 |
| OpenAlex | W7168154034 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 57 |
Creative expression (CE) programmes have shown psychosocial and cognitive benefits for people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many CE programms have transitioned to digital delivery to sustain engagement. As yet, their contexts, characteristics and outcomes have not been systematically mapped; this scoping review seeks to address this. The review applied the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews and searched the Scopus, EBSCO, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane databases using keywords to capture populations with dementia or MCI and digital programmes involving creative expression in any artistic medium. The search retrieved 2,088 records, of which 13 studies met inclusion criteria. Findings indicate challenges in delivering and engaging with digital CE programmes but also, and surprisingly, report the digital realm as a pragmatic and psychosocial ‘safe space’. Findings also indicate en vivo adjustments as superior to a priori design features to ensure dynamic acceptability and effectiveness. Finally, findings recalibrate key concepts, shifting from ‘technophobia’ to comprehensive digital agency, and from ‘support’ to reciprocity among all involved. This review will support researchers and practitioners in designing and delivering effective and acceptable digital CE programmes for people with dementia or MCI in the future.
Cognition · Dementia · Digital health · Digital Inclusion · Psychosocial · Realm · Art Therapy and Mental Health · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Innovative Human-Technology Interaction
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Exploring the experiences of a person with dementia and their spouse who attended a telehealth music therapy programme
| Highly cited | No |
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