DIGITAL ARTS INTERVENTIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN CARE HOMES

The growing prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia among older adults, particularly in care home settings, has led to an increasing interest in non-pharmacological interventions aimed at improving quality of life, cognition, and psychosocial well-being. Digital arts interventions, which integrate creative and artistic activities through digital technologies, have emerged as a potential solution to address these needs. This systematic–realist review synthesises existing literature on digital arts interventions for older adults with cognitive impairment in care homes. By applying realist synthesis principles, the review examines how these interventions are implemented, the mechanisms through which they produce outcomes, and the contextual factors that influence their success. Key digital arts interventions, including virtual art galleries and interactive creative tasks, are explored in relation to their effects on cognition, emotional well-being, social interaction, and overall quality of life. The review highlights promising mechanisms such as reminiscence, cognitive stimulation, and social connectedness, while also identifying significant gaps in the theoretical understanding, outcome standardisation, and methodological rigor in the field. The findings underscore the need for more robust and theory-driven research to optimise the design and implementation of digital arts interventions in care homes.