Imitation Response and Mimesis in Dementia

Abstract

This study explores alternative modalities of communication with 25 patients presenting various degrees of dementia with psychological and cognitive deterioration. Whereas 32% of the patients could respond autonomously to the various drawing tasks presented to them, 40% could respond only when encouraged to copy and, in 12% of these cases, the examiner could achieve interaction and dialogue only through imitation of gestures; 16% of the patients did not respond to any of the modalities of interaction. Results are analyzed in the context of art therapy and its unique ability to make use of various models and structures of therapeutic interaction when working with cognitively and neurologically impaired patients. This study also suggests that imitation can be an alternative modality of communication when other forms of interaction become unavailable.

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