- AI-assisted visual art therapy significantly improved MoCA scores post-intervention (d = 1.36) with gains largely maintained at 3 months (d = 1.08).
- Participants showed reduced anxiety and depression on HADS at post-intervention with moderate effect sizes (d = 0.73 to 0.76), p < 0.01.
- Programme fidelity was 93.5%; no serious adverse events occurred; benefits likely reflect synergistic effects of the multi-component intervention.
Front Public Health. 2026 Aug 7;14:1874071. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1874071. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine whether generative artificial intelligence-assisted visual art therapy improves cognitive function and alleviates anxiety and depression in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
METHODS: A quasi-experimental, cluster-gated design was employed in Shengli Street Community, Enshi City (September 2025-April 2026). Eighty eligible older adults were enrolled and assigned by administrative grid to an intervention group (n = 40) or a control group (n = 40). The control group continued routine community activities; the intervention group additionally received a 12-week generative artificial intelligence-assisted visual art therapy program. The primary outcome was change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) total score; the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) served as the secondary outcome. Assessments occurred at baseline, 1 week post-intervention, and at three-month follow-up. Cohen’s d effect sizes are reported.
RESULTS: Seventy-two participants completed the study. At post-intervention, the intervention group scored significantly higher on the MoCA (d = 1.36, p < 0.001) and lower on HADS-Anxiety and HADS-Depression (d = 0.73-0.76, both p < 0.01) relative to controls. Gains were largely maintained at 3 months (MoCA d = 1.08). Fidelity reached 93.5%; no serious adverse events occurred.
CONCLUSION: An AI-enabled, four-phase visual art therapy program can improve cognition and reduce anxiety and depression in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment, with effects partially sustained at 3 months. The observed benefits reflect the synergistic effects of the multi-component intervention as a whole, rather than the isolated contribution of any single element.
PMID:42630201 | PMC:PMC13493257 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2026.1874071
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