Supplementary material from "Creative approaches to the diagnostic journey in isolated REM sleep Behaviour Disorder: insights from a pilot workshop"

We aimed to explore the use of creative methodologies to accompany the diagnostic journey of patients newly diagnosed with isolated REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD). As this sleep-related condition precedes the development of progressively disabling neurodegenerative disorders known as synucleinopathies, its diagnosis imposes profound emotional and existential challenges for patients and families.We conducted a pilot workshop with eighteen postgraduate fine arts students without prior clinical training. After an introduction to sleep physiology and isolated RBD by a neurologist, participants worked in small groups to design creative interventions (including performance, visual arts, music, and symbolic storytelling) intended to facilitate emotional expression, reflection, and empowerment. An observational analytical approach was employed to review the outputs of the workshop. Participants’ prior knowledge and experience in art and health contexts were captured through questionnaires, providing insight into how they conceived, enacted, and reflected on their proposals.The workshop generated diverse interventions, including performative reenactments of sleep phenomena, visual diaries, collaborative movement exercises, and symbolic storytelling tools. Recurring themes included fostering empathy and shared understanding, creating safe spaces for emotional exploration, reframing difficult experiences through symbolic representation, and enhancing resilience. The proposals also promoted communication between patients, families, and professionals, offering practical coping strategies in clinical contexts.Creative methodologies show therapeutic, educational, and social potential, complementing conventional clinical care by transforming the diagnostic encounter into a participatory, reflective, and expressive process. This study provides a foundation for research on art-based interventions to support patients and families navigating the uncertainties of an isolated RBD diagnosis.