A group music intervention using percussion instruments with familiar music to reduce anxiety and agitation of institutionalized older adults with dementia

Abstract

Objective This experimental study aimed to evaluate the effects of a group music intervention on anxiety and agitation of institutionalized older adults with dementia. Methods A total of 60 participants were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group. The experimental group received a 30‐min music intervention using percussion instruments with familiar music in a group setting in mid afternoon twice weekly for 6 weeks, whereas the control group received usual care with no music intervention. The Rating of Anxiety in Dementia scale was used to assess anxiety, and Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory was used to assess agitation at baseline, week 4 and week 6. Results Repeated measures analysis of covariance indicated that older adults who received a group music intervention had a significantly lower anxiety score than those in the control group while controlling for pre‐test score and cognitive level (F = 8.98, p = 0.004). However, the reduction of agitation between two groups was not significantly different. Conclusions Anxiety and agitation are common in older adults with dementia and have been reported by caregivers as challenging care problems. An innovative group music intervention using percussion instruments with familiar music as a cost‐effective approach has the potential to reduce anxiety and improve psychological well‐being of those with dementia. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Exploring the impact of music concerts in promoting well-being in dementia care

“…First, many of our findings echo those resulting from previous studies (e.g. Gold, 2014;MacDermott et al, 2014;Sakamoto et al, 2013;Sixsmith and Gibson, 2007;Sung et al, 2012), which, in the main, were carried out within the discipline of music therapy. The authors of this paper have no training in music therapy and the interventions were not designed with any therapeutic benefit in mind.…”

“…As well as exploring the impact of music on specific behaviours, the improvement in the overall wellbeing of those living with dementia is similarly well documented, (Brotons, 2000;McDermott et al, 2013;Sherratt et al, 2004;Sixsmith & Gibson, 2007;and Sung et al, 2012) with further studies exploring the benefits of music on care-givers (Brotons and Marti, 2003;Davidson and Faulkner, 2010;Hammar et al, 2010;McDermott et al, 2014). In particular, music therapy has a long history and association with dementia research (Aldridge, 2000;Kadouchi, 2001;Maroi, 2007;Ridder & Aldridge, 2005;Spiro, 2010) and further work has demonstrated a number of innovative ways of using music in order to enhance the care of individuals with dementia (e.g.…”

“…Musical memories, words to songs and associated feelings and emotions appear to remain for significant periods of time after other skills have disappeared (Crystal et al, 1989;Nuki, 2009;Yamada & Baba, 2008). Okabe & Kobayashi (2006), demonstrated that two regular weekly sessions of musical activity positively affected levels of communication, interaction, eye contact and concentration in persons with dementia and numerous additional studies have demonstrated how engagement with music can significantly reduce levels of anxiety and agitation (see Cooke, Moyle et al,2010;Lai, 2004;Ledger & Baker, 2007;Lin, 2011;Sung et al, 2012;Vink et al,2013), reduce levels of depression, ( Ballard et al, 1996;Butters et al, 2008;Chou & Lin, 2012;Jorm, 2001), reduce wandering, (Robinson et al, 2007) and assist transition into long-term care (Kydd, 2001).…”

Effects of Music Therapy on the Care Burden of In-Home Caregivers and Physiological Parameters of Their In-Home Dementia Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Patients with Alzheimer's disease were found to benefit from MT for reducing anxiety levels [48,49]. In several other studies examining the effect of MT on anxiety and agitated behaviors in patients with dementia, the authors found a significant reduction in both anxiety and agitated behaviors after MT [49,50,51,52,53]. Regarding the mechanisms of action, music, by masking environmental noises, directs one's attention to a more pleasant emotional state, thereby triggering feelings of connection with both physical and mental relaxation [26].…”

Non-Pharmalogical Interventions towards Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia—An Integrated Literature Review

“…Sung et al [12], however, did not found that music therapy gave any significant difference regarding the symptom of agitation. Chu et al [16] states that music therapy for elderly people with dementia has been shown to significantly reduce depression.…”