Effects of Music Therapy in Frail Elderlies: Controlled Crossover Study

Abstract

Background: Music therapy (MT) may exert beneficial preventive effects in frail elderly individuals in psychophysiological health. Objectives: One hundred and fifteen frail elderly individuals (65–89 years old) participated. Methods: Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups for a controlled crossover trial. The MT-first group participated in group sessions of 45–50 min conducted by a certified music therapist for 12 weeks, followed by a 12-week waiting period. The waiting-first group participated in the reverse order. Cognitive function was assessed by the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) and Yamaguchi Kanji Symbol Substitution Test (YKSST). Physical function was assessed by the Timed Up and Go test (TUG). Psychophysical health was assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale 15-item version (GDS-15), General Health Questionnaire 12-item version (GHQ-12), Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) scale, and Life Space Assessment (LSA) scale. We also evaluated the outcome of MT using the Clinical Global Impressions of Improvement (CGI-I) scale. Results: After 12 weeks of MT, significant improvements were observed in TUG, GDS-15, and GHQ-12 scores. However, no improvements were noted in other scores. CGI-I scores revealed the significant benefits of MT. Conclusions: MT may improve physical function, depressive mood, and quality of life in frail elderly individuals.

A Proposal for a Data-Driven Approach to the Influence of Music on Heart Dynamics

“…Assessment of physical and psychological condition through medical evaluation or tests such as General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) ( 43 ), Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) ( 44 ), Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) ( 45 ), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) ( 46 ), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) ( 47 ). These evaluations can be applied in the inclusion and exclusion of subject; moreover, if performed after experimental procedures or as part of them, they could be considered as a source of information that might be susceptible to analysis as a response to stimuli or experimental procedures.…”

Yaşlılarda Farmakolojik Olmayan Uygulamalar ve Etkisinin İncelenmesine Yönelik Türkiye’deki Mevcut Tezlerin Değerlendirilmesi

“…Benzer şekilde çalışma kapsamında incelenen tezlerde uyku sorunun çözümü için müzik terapisi, ışık tedavisi ve masaj uygulandığı ve sonuçlarının etkili olduğu görülmektedir 26,30 . Yaşlıların karşılaştığı diğer sorunların arasında yüksek kan basıncı, ortopedi ameliyatları sonrası ağrı gibi fizyolojik sorunlar ile anksiyete, yalnızlık gibi psikolojik sorunların olduğu ve bu sorunlarla baş etmede müzik terapisinin geniş bir yelpazede kullanıldığı ve etkili olduğu belirtilmektedir [52][53][54][55] . İncelenen tezlerde de farmakolojik olmayan yöntemler arasında en fazla kullanılan yöntemin müzik terapisi olduğu ve müzik terapisinin kan basıncı, solunum, nabız, oksijen saturasyonu, anksiyete, ajitasyon; konfor ve yalnızlık düzeyine vb.…”

The Added Value of Art for the Well-Being of Older People with Chronic Psychiatric Illnesses and Dementia Living in Long-Term Care Facilities, and on the Collaboration between Their Caregivers and Artists

“…In the care for people with dementia or chronic psychiatric disorders, there has been an increased use of various forms of art, such as theatre [9], painting, drawing, singing, dance or sculpture [10,11], music [12,13], and visiting museums [14]. Positive effects were found on different quality of life aspects [9,12,15]. One study found improvement in cognition or decreased apathy or depression [11].…”