Social isolation is associated with numerous physical and mental health problems, including increased risk of stroke, heart disease, mental decline and even premature death.
The risks are particularly acute among older adults who are more likely to live on their own.
But now, research shows that the same digital technologies that helped workers stay connected during lockdown could help older adults stay healthy when combined with interactive art-based activities.
Researchers in Canada teamed up with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) to explore whether weekly virtual visits over a three-month period could offer health benefits.
The study recruited 106 residents of the Montreal metro area aged 65 and above.
Half of the participants attended guided virtual tours once a week, while the other group abstained from participating in any cultural activities over the same period.
The intervention group showed significant improvements in wellbeing, social isolation, quality of life and frailty assessment scores when compared to the control group, the paper reveals.
Lead author Dr Olivier Beauchet, a professor at the University of Montreal, said:
“Our study showed that art-based activity may be an effective intervention.
“On a global scale, this participatory art-based activity could become a model that could be offered in museums and arts institutions worldwide to promote active and healthy ageing.”
The biggest impact of the 45-minute virtual museum tours and 15-minute Q&A was on frailty, which refers to a “vulnerable condition exposing individuals to incident adverse health events and disabilities that negatively impact their quality of life and increase health and social costs,” Beauchet explained.
“Health and social systems need to address the challenge of limiting frailty and its related adverse consequences in the ageing population.”
The study is an extension of previous research investigating the potential benefits of the ongoing MMFA programme called “Thursdays at the Museum.”
Fundings from the 2018 pilot study indicated that the museum’s art-based activities could improve wellbeing, quality of life and health in older adults.
The success of the pilot study led to a three-year multinational study to test the effectiveness of such interventions across different societies and cultures.
The Research Centre of the Geriatric University Institute of Montreal in collaboration with MMFA and the University of Montreal, is now developing its Arts & Longevity Lab which aims to develop, validate and promote art-based interventions for older adults.
Beauchet said:
“While these are suitable locations that reach a great number of people, there are additional organisations and sectors that could become partners in public health research and practice development.
“Museums are among such potential partners. They are aware of the needs of their communities and are consequently expanding the types of activities they offer.”
