Exactly why art therapy seems to help is still an area for research. Some think that creativity may be heightened by Parkinson’s itself, aided perhaps by the fact that many people stop working and have more time for such hobbies. Others speculate that it may be related to a lack of dopamine or other chemical imbalances in the brain.
For those who cannot paint themselves but enjoy looking at picture books and art, research is now under way into the benefits this can bring, especially for those with dementia who cannot access normal books. Many believe that sharing pictures can encourage communication and closeness between two people, and it appears to have a calming and uplifting affect.
See www.picturestoshare.co.uk for more information on available resources and on research into the affects of art in dementia, and the article ‘An Accidental Artist’.
