Visual arts program teaching drawing or virtual gallery exploration for older adults
Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of a Drawing-based Intervention on Cognition and Wellbeing of Community-Dwelling Adults at Risk for ADRD
This trial tests whether a six-week at-home drawing training or a virtual art-gallery program helps attention, perception, and drawing skills in healthy adults aged 55–85.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 55 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Northeastern University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT06645652 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
In a two-arm randomized controlled design, 50 older adults will be assigned to either a drawing training program or an active control that involves exploring virtual art galleries. Each intervention lasts six weeks and is completed remotely, with up to two hours of practice per week (drawing practice plus self-guided lessons or two one-hour virtual gallery sessions). Participants complete in-lab assessment sessions within one week before and after training to measure feasibility, acceptability, drawing skill changes, and related perceptual/cognitive outcomes. The trial targets older adults with limited formal visual arts training and uses the Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Blind as a screening threshold.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking adults aged 55–85 without dementia or other neurological disease, with less than two years of formal visual arts training and sufficient vision and motor ability for tablet-based activities.
Not a fit: People with a formal diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment, a MoCA‑Blind score below 17, significant visual or motor impairments, or active medical conditions that prevent participation are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could offer an accessible at-home activity that improves visuospatial reasoning, attention, and drawing skills in older adults and supports cognitive engagement.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior arts-engagement studies have shown cognitive or well-being benefits in older adults, but remote, drawing-specific randomized trials of this format are limited and largely preliminary.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 55-85 years of age * Able to understand and speak English and follow study procedures * Does not have a psychological or neurological condition that would prevent from being able to give consent to participate * Less than 2 years of formal visual arts training Exclusion Criteria: * Formal diagnosis of dementia or other neurological disease, including Mild Cognitive Impairment * A final score below 17 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Blind (phone) version * Abnormal visual acuity prohibitive of tablet-based training * Physical handicap (motor or perceptual) that would impede training procedures * Medical illness requiring treatment and/or significant absences during the study timeline
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Northeastern University — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Susanne Jaeggi, PhD — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Mariya Vodyanyk, MA
- Email: vodyanyk.m@northeastern.edu
- Phone: 608-628-4820
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.