The effects of art therapy using the Zentangle method for older adults with depressive symptoms

INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group and the waitlist control group. The effects were examined by comparing the participants who received a six‐week Zentangle intervention with those in the waitlist control group. Baseline (T0), post‐intervention (T1, six weeks after T0) and six‐week follow‐up (T2, twelve weeks after T0) measures were completed in this study. Forty‐six community‐dwelling older adults with scores of five or above in the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) were recruited. Outcomes including depressive symptoms, self‐compassion, self‐soothing tendency, self‐defeating tendency, positive affect, negative affect, participation in pleasant activities and perceived health were assessed. Same treatment is provided to the waitlist‐control group after the data‐collection period. CONDITION: Community‐dwelling older adults with depressive symptoms ; Mental and Behavioural Disorders PRIMARY OUTCOME: ; Measured at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks:; 1. Depression is measured using PHQ‐9; 2. Self‐compassion is measured using Self‐Compassion Scale‐ Short Form (SCS‐SF); SECONDARY OUTCOME: There are no secondary outcome measures INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. The older adult is living in the community 2. The older adult is aged 60 or above 3. The older adult scored over 5 or above in the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) 4. The older adult should have no formal diagnosis of other mental health illness other than depression based on their self‐report in the pre‐test interview 5. The older adult should be able to understand Cantonese 6. The older adult should have no visual impairment 7. The older adult should be able to hold a pen and have no severe medical conditions with physical mobility based on their self‐report in the pre‐test interview 8. The older adult should be able to attend 80% of the programme sessions