The effectiveness of internet-based emotional healing with an expressive arts therapy program among thai family caregivers of older adults with dementia: A randomized controlled trial study.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of internet-based emotional healing with an expressive arts therapy program for family caregivers of older adults with dementia.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial, ninety family caregivers were randomly assigned into the control group (n = 45) received standard cares and the experimental group (n = 45) received the internet-based art therapy for eight weeks. Descriptive statistics and repeated measure multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used to analyzed data.

RESULTS

The burden, depression and self-esteem in family caregivers in both groups were statistically significant different over time at Weeks 4 and 8 (F = 65.28, p < .001). The experimental group had significant improvements in all outcomes compared to their baseline and better than the control group at Weeks 4 and 8 (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The online art therapy program could be an alternative support for family caregivers, and digital health initiatives enhancing access, continuity, and family-centered nursing care.

TRIAL REGISTRY: SLCTR, Srilanka clinical trials registry; Identification No. SLCTR/2024/007 URL: https://slctr.lk/trials/slctr-2024-007.