The Effects of Art Therapy on Executive Functions and Attention in Parkinson’s Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Art therapy may serve as a valuable non-pharmacological intervention to support executive functioning and attention in older adults with PD, with improvements observed at follow-up. Single-group studies suggest potential short-term benefits for depressive symptoms, although these effects may not be sustained over time. Structured interventions in high-quality controlled trials, personalized to patient profiles and preferably delivered by specialized professionals, may optimize outcomes. Further research based on high-quality, adequately powered clinical trials is needed to identify the most effective approaches and to determine whether benefits extend beyond cognitive outcomes. Direct comparisons of different art-based modalities may help identify the most effective approaches for improving patient outcomes.