ARTISAN 2.0: Deconstructing the Integrative Efficacy of a Multimodal Art-based Intervention

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Well Aging; Intergenerational Relations; Loneliness
• Interventions: Behavioral: Intergenerational Storytelling Condition; Behavioral: Intergenerational Art-space Condition; Behavioral: Control Condition; Behavioral: ARTISAN Condition; Behavioral: Intergenerational Participatory Arts Condition

• Registration Number: NCT04548115
• Lead Sponsor: Nanyang Technological University

Brief Summary

To address perceived loneliness via citizen empowerment, ARTISAN (Aspiration and Resilience Through Intergenerational Storytelling and Art-based Narratives) was developed by the Principal Investigator in partnership with the National Arts Council and the National Museum of Singapore. A 2018 pilot study was conducted with the aim to establish ARTISAN's intervention framework, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention in promoting resilience, social connectedness, wellbeing, personhood and nationhood. The current research builds on the empirical foundation of the pilot study and seeks to deconstruct the ARTISAN intervention for gaining a deeper understanding of its underlying mechanisms for promoting positive life changes among youth and senior participants such as reduced loneliness, enhanced resilience, psychological wellbeing, social connectedness and sense of nationhood.

Detailed Description

Objective: The core objective is to critically investigate and assess the independent and combined efficacy of each key intervention components of ARTISAN's multimodal framework, which consist of: 1) full ARTISAN condition; 2) intergenerational participatory arts condition; 3) intergenerational art space condition; 4) intergenerational storytelling condition; and 5) control condition of physical activity.

Methods: Utilizing a five-arm, multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, 70 youths and 70 seniors (N=140) from 10 collaborating sites will be invited to participate in a 5-weeks intervention programme under one of five conditions (ARTISAN condition, Participatory Arts condition, Art-space condition, Storytelling condition, Control condition). Quantitative measurements will be taken at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and ten week post baseline the interventions.

Significance: The results generated will serve to illuminate the intricate pathways in which arts and heritage can cultivate positive life changes, and address misconceptions and about the pivotal roles that arts and heritage play in health promotion.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2020-09
• Study First Submitted: 2020-09-09
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-09-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-09-09
• Study First Posted: 2020-09-14
• Last Update Posted: 2020-09-14
• Study Start: 2020-12
• Primary Completion: 2022-11
• Study Completion: 2022-11

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 140

Inclusion Criteria

• Youth between the age of 16 to 35
• Community-dwelling seniors above the age of 60
• Fluent in verbal English or Mandarin

Exclusion Criteria

• Individuals who are unable to provide informed consent (or parental consent where applicable)
• Individuals diagnosed with major mental illness or cognitive impairment (If deemed appropriate, potential senior participants will be screened by the NTU research team using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE))
• Participants who had engaged in the ARTISAN pilot study

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Inter-generational Storytelling Condition	Intergenerational Storytelling Condition	Participants assigned to this arm will engage in the storytelling component of the ARTISAN Intervention framework. Youths and senior participants in this condition will be paired to engage in a 5-weekly, 5-hour, group-based guided storytelling activity that covers the five ARTISAN themes.
Intergenerational Art-space Condition	Intergenerational Art-space Condition	Participants assigned to this arm will engage in the cultural space component of the ARTISAN Intervention framework. Youths and senior participants in this condition will engage in a 5-weekly, 5-hour, group-based a group-based curated museum tour that covers the five ARTISAN themes.
Control Condition	Control Condition	Participants assigned to this arm will engage in a 5-weekly, 5-hour, group-based physical activity session conducted in the community.
ARTISAN Condition	ARTISAN Condition	Participants assigned to this arm will engage in ARTISAN, a 5-weekly, 15-hour group-based arts and heritage intervention programme with specific intervention components including curated museum tours, facilitated storytelling and professionally-led art-making. The weekly intervention covers the five ARTISAN themes of national heritage, social bonds, adversity and resilience, dreams and aspiration, and community art exhibition.
Intergenerational Participatory Arts Condition	Intergenerational Participatory Arts Condition	Participants assigned to this arm will engage in the participatory arts-making component of the ARTISAN Intervention framework. Youths and senior participants in this condition will engage in a 5-weekly, 5-hour, group-based professionally-led art-making that covers the five ARTISAN themes.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Loneliness (ULS-8) scores from baseline	Participants will be assessed at three time points: [T1] baseline; [T2] immediately post-intervention/second baseline (5 weeks post T1); and [T3] 5 weeks follow-up/ immediately post-intervention (5 weeks post T2).	The 8-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-8) is used to assess Loneliness. Participants will be asked to indicate their agreement for statements on a 4-point scale.
Changes in National and Cultural Identity (NATID) scores from baseline	Participants will be assessed at three time points: [T1] baseline; [T2] immediately post-intervention/second baseline (5 weeks post T1); and [T3] 5 weeks follow-up/ immediately post-intervention (5 weeks post T2).	National identity is assessed by a modified version of the National Identity Scale (NATID) which comprises 8-items. Participants will be asked to rate their agreement on statements regarding national heritage and cultural homogeneity on a 7-point likert scale.
Changes in Resilience (ER-11) scores from baseline	Participants will be assessed at three time points: [T1] baseline; [T2] immediately post-intervention/second baseline (5 weeks post T1); and [T3] 5 weeks follow-up/ immediately post-intervention (5 weeks post T2).	Resilience is assessed by the 11-item refined version of Ego-Resilience Scale (ER-11). Participants will be asked to indicate their agreement for statements on a 4-point scale.
Changes in Social Connectedness (MOS-SS) scores from baseline	Participants will be assessed at three time points: [T1] baseline; [T2] immediately post-intervention/second baseline (5 weeks post T1); and [T3] 5 weeks follow-up/ immediately post-intervention (5 weeks post T2).	Social Connectedness is measured by the Emotional, Affectionate, and Positive Interaction sub-scales of the Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SS). Participants will be asked to respond to 14-items on a 5-point likert scale.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in Self-esteem (RSES-4) scores from baseline	Participants will be assessed at three time points: [T1] baseline; [T2] immediately post-intervention/second baseline (5 weeks post T1); and [T3] 5 weeks follow-up/ immediately post-intervention (5 weeks post T2).	Self-esteem is measured by the 4-item shortened-version of the Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RSES-4).
Changes in Psychological wellbeing (PWB) scores from baseline	Participants will be assessed at three time points: [T1] baseline; [T2] immediately post-intervention/second baseline (5 weeks post T1); and [T3] 5 weeks follow-up/ immediately post-intervention (5 weeks post T2).	Psychological wellbeing is measured by the Personal Growth and Self-Acceptance sub-scales of the Ryff's Psychological Wellbeing Scale (PWB) which comprises 18 items.
Changes in Depressive symptoms (PHQ-4) scores from baseline	Participants will be assessed at three time points: [T1] baseline; [T2] immediately post-intervention/second baseline (5 weeks post T1); and [T3] 5 weeks follow-up/ immediately post-intervention (5 weeks post T2).	Depressive symptoms is assessed by the 4-item brief version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4).
Changes in Life satisfaction (SWLS) scores from baseline	Participants will be assessed at three time points: [T1] baseline; [T2] immediately post-intervention/second baseline (5 weeks post T1); and [T3] 5 weeks follow-up/ immediately post-intervention (5 weeks post T2).	Life satisfaction is assessed by the single-item Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS).
Changes in Quality of life (WHOQoL-8) scores from baseline	Participants will be assessed at three time points: [T1] baseline; [T2] immediately post-intervention/second baseline (5 weeks post T1); and [T3] 5 weeks follow-up/ immediately post-intervention (5 weeks post T2).	Perceived quality of life is measured by the 8-item WHO Quality of Life Scale-8 (WHOQoL-8/EUROHIS-QOL).
Changes in Spiritual wellbeing (FACIT-Sp) scores from baseline	Participants will be assessed at three time points: [T1] baseline; [T2] immediately post-intervention/second baseline (5 weeks post T1); and [T3] 5 weeks follow-up/ immediately post-intervention (5 weeks post T2).	Spiritual wellbeing is measured by the 8-item peace and meaning subscales of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Nanyang Technological University; 🇸🇬 Singapore, Singapore