Music‐based interventions for people living with dementia, targeting behavioral and psychological symptoms: A scoping review

Abstract

Introduction: Dementia care is a major public health issue worldwide. The management of behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD) is one of the hardest challenges in this context. Non-pharmacological strategies, like musicbased interventions (Mbi), seem promising options, being considered low-risk, widely available and inclusive. This scoping review aimed at mapping all Mbi used in dementia care, targeting BPSD, and debriefing its components, structure and rationale. Music therapy and other therapeutic music activities were included. Methods: The Arksey and O'Malley framework, Cochrane recommendations and PRISMA checklist were followed. Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, ASSIA and Humanities Index were searched from first records until the 31 st of March 2020. Snowballing process and screening of relevant journals were also undertaken. A panel of experts critically guided the evidence synthesis. Results: Overall, 103 studies (34 RCT; 12 NRT; 40 Before/After studies and 17 Case Studies) met inclusion criteria. Basic elements of the Mbi, the rationale supporting its development and hypothesis tested were mostly underreported, thus hampering cross-study comparisons and generalizations. Despite this, available evidence indicates that: it is feasible to deliver Mbi to PwD at very different stages and in different settings -from community to the acute settingeven for non-music therapists; positive or neutral effects in BPSD are often reported but not without exception; individualization seems a critical factor mediating Mbi effects. Conclusions: Detailed intervention and research reporting are essential to interpretation, replication and translation into practice. Ten years after the publication of specific reporting guidelines, this goal is not yet fully achieved in music in dementia care.

Non-pharmacological interventions for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol

“…Non-pharmacological interventions such as physical exercise ( 19 , 20 ), music therapy ( 21 ), aromatherapy therapy ( 22 ), reminiscence therapy ( 23 ), cognitive interventions ( 24 ), light therapy ( 25 ), massage therapies ( 26 ), non-invasive brain stimulation ( 27 ), acupuncture therapy ( 28 ), etc. will be included.…”

Immediate effects of individualized music listening on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: A randomized controlled trial

“…A number of reviews suggest that IML effectively reduces BPSD such as anxiety, agitation and the underlying biopsychological stress. [9][10][11][12][13][14] However, due to methodological limitations, for example, small sample sizes and single-group designs, no definite conclusions can yet be drawn on the effectiveness of IML.…”

Music Therapy in the Treatment of Dementia: A Review Article

“…A music therapist's duties typically involve helping and instructing staff members, families, volunteers, and even certain teachers in the use of music-therapeutic approaches in addition to dealing with clients on a clinical level. Six researchers in music therapy (MT) from six different nations concurred that the time was right to host a roundtable where they could exchange their expertise in dementia care, or skill sharing in dementia care, and their indirect MT practice [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Music is frequently included in everyday routine as an adjuvant therapy to drug treatment, per national dementia plans in many different nations.…”

“…This scoping research intended to map every music-based intervention utilized in dementia care, with a focus on BPSD, and debrief its elements, framework, and logic. Activities involving therapeutic music, such as MT, were included [ 4 ]. Degeneration in cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning characterizes rearrangement interventions for dementia as a clinical condition with several underlying causes.…”