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Community-Based Participatory Research on Art Engagement for People with Dementia in Japan
Mika Sugiyama, Ayako Edahiro, Unno Takako, Akiko Furuta, Fumiko Miyamae. Innovation in Aging, 2025-12-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Abstract In Japan, Dementia Friendly Communities promote inclusion and social participation for people with dementia. However, they often face difficulties in engaging in social and cultural activities. This study, part of a community-based participatory research project in Chiyoda City, Tokyo, examined whether participatory art, implemented as a community activity rather than in hospitals or care facilities, could serve as a local resource for post-diagnosis support. The program consisted of an 80-minute pastel and colored pencil participatory art activity, followed by a 40-minute peer support meeting. Six participants with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or dementia participated, with MMSE-J scores ranging from 14 to 30 (mean 24.7 ± 5.5) and ages from 59 to 97 years. Participants were primarily referred by municipal staff, with some introduced by family. Conducted four times over two months in a community setting, the program had a 91.6% attendance rate. A semi-structured group interview was conducted in the final session, and thematic analysis was performed. Thematic analysis revealed that participatory art activities provided “fun and enjoyment,” opportunities to “try new things,” and the “joy of self-expression.” Many participants noted that they had not engaged with art on their own and expressed a decrease in opportunities to experience art in daily life. Many hoped for continued participation in participatory art activities. These findings suggest that participatory art, when integrated into community activities, can be a valuable resource for people with dementia and MCI, fostering social participation and self-expression. Future research should explore sustainable models for community-based dementia-friendly initiatives.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Sugiyama, M., Edahiro, A., Takako, U., Furuta, A., & Miyamae, F. (2025). Community-Based Participatory Research on Art Engagement for People with Dementia in Japan. Innovation in Aging. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf122.3241
Vancouver
Sugiyama M, Edahiro A, Takako U, Furuta A, Miyamae F. Community-Based Participatory Research on Art Engagement for People with Dementia in Japan. Innovation in Aging. 2025. doi:10.1093/geroni/igaf122.3241.
BibTeX
@article{sugiyama2025-a4a3482b,
author = {Sugiyama, Mika and Edahiro, Ayako and Takako, Unno and Furuta, Akiko and Miyamae, Fumiko},
title = {{Community-Based Participatory Research on Art Engagement for People with Dementia in Japan}},
journal = {Innovation in Aging},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1093/geroni/igaf122.3241},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf122.3241}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Thematic analysis revealed that participatory art activities provided “fun and enjoyment,” opportunities to “try new things,” and the “joy of self-expression.” Many participants noted that they had not engaged with art on their own and expressed a decrease in opportunities to experience art in daily life.
- These findings suggest that participatory art, when integrated into community activities, can be a valuable resource for people with dementia and MCI, fostering social participation and self-expression.
Why it matters
In this small study of six people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia in Japan, participatory art activities provided fun, enjoyment, and opportunities for self-expression. The authors suggest participatory art integrated into community activities can be a valuable resource for social participation.
Study details
- Effect size91.6%
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 31/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Innovation in Aging) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Innovation in Aging: journal h-index 48 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 2 / 3 | Effect reported as a number, without an interval or test |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 1 / 6 | Cited 0.6× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Fumiko Miyamae: h-index 16 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology: institution h-index 266 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 1 / 2 | Not in PubMed, but has a DOI |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 31 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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