Authors (including presenting author) :
LI YS(1)(2), HO PK(1) (2), HUI SS (1)(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Cheshire Home, Chung Hom Kok, (2) Occupational Therapy Department)
Objectives :
This pilot study investigates the effects of Chinese Calligraphy Handwriting (CCH) on cognitive performance and well-being for the older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The program aimed to improve working memory, attention control, visual scan, processing speed functions and well being for the MCI patients.
Methodology :
This was a pre and post intervention study conducted from June to July, 2022. 6 long stay patients with MCI were recruited for completing 4 sessions of calligraphy class that led by Occupational Therapists. Inclusion criteria were age > 60, HKMoCa-5 score < 20, absence of blindness and willing to join. Patients was being instructed basic calligraphy knowledge, tools, strokes of Chinese characters and different styles. Then they tried to writing Chinese characters in different styles (Ka-style楷書and Clerical Scri隸書). Primary outcomes measures used were “HKMoca-5, Digit Span Test and Clock-drawing Test. Secondary measure used was the patient’s self-report questionnaire.
Result & Outcome :
Calligraphy activity is a mind-and-body activity culturally relevant to older adults. It involves perception and spatial structuring of the Chinese characters, cognitive planning and maneuver of the brush to follow specific character configurations. Recent evidences showed the positive effects on promoting cognitive performance including attention control, visual scan, processing speed function and well-being for MCI clients. Data collected was analyzed by SPSS. The findings were positive in terms of attention, working memory and visual-spatial performance. The mean score of Digit-span Test significantly increased of 44% from 9±3.6 to 13±3.6 (p< 0.027) while the mean score of Clock-drawing Test showed a surge of 133% from 1±0.6 to 2.33±1.2 (p< 0.066) after intervention. In HK-Moca-5, mean score remained static after intervention. As for the well-being of the long-stay patients, patients generally showed satisfaction towards the activity. Participant’s self-report questionnaire in 6-point likert scale shown patients felt relax (mean score 5, 83.3%) and satisfied (mean score 4.7, 78.3%) towards the Chinese Calligraphy Handwriting group. As such, Chinese calligraphy class improved working memory, visual-spatial performance and well-being of the elderly with MCI.The program is a feasible and sustainable model for service provision in infirmary setting.
