Results from a person‐centered music intervention for individuals living with dementia

Abstract

Aim Dementia is a chronic, costly disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Effective, affordable person‐centered interventions are required to improve the lived experiences of individuals with dementia and their caregivers in various care settings. The present study examined the effects of a person‐centered music listening intervention on mood, agitation and social engagement for individuals living with dementia. Methods This quasi‐experimental study was carried out with participants at five community‐based adult day health centers (n = 51). Standardized instruments were used to measure mood and agitation, and in‐person and video‐recorded observations of participant behavior were used to analyze changes before, during and after the intervention across four domains: mood, agitation, connecting to music and engaging socially. Within‐person differences were examined using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, and between‐group differences were examined using the Mann–Whitney U‐test. Results Although standardized instruments did not yield statistically significant results, the behavioral observations showed a positive change in mood and a decrease in agitation. From pre‐ to post‐intervention, there were statistically significant increases in joy, eye contact, eye movement, being engaged and talkativeness, and a decrease in sleeping and moving or dancing. Conclusions Behavioral observations show the positive impact a person‐centered music listening intervention might have on individuals living with dementia and attending adult day health centers. This affordable intervention provides a useful tool for caregivers that might improve the day‐to‐day experience of individuals living with dementia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 30–34.

<p>Systematic Use of Song and Music in Dementia Care: Health Care Providers’ Experiences</p>

“…Music therapy is highlighted, in several studies, to have promising impacts on quality of life and well-being in persons with dementia. 2,11,23,24 This impression was also supported by the informants in the current study, although certain aspects were emphasized as important for it to be an appropriate tool. This will be further elaborated below.…”

“…In addition to singing along, their responses to the music by means of feet tapping, hand clapping, humming, and dancing are in line with what has been found in other studies. 5,11 Thus, their body language clearly expressed emotional reactions, such as joy. Music can help persons with dementia to improve their mood and increase their attentiveness, 5 at least immediately and in the short term.…”

“…This implies, among other things, supporting the physical and mental health of persons suffering from dementia, and the facilitation of coping, belonging, and experience of meaningfulness. Person-centred care is highly emphasized, 10,11 and environmental treatments, such as song and music therapy, are described as a central approach. Studies have shown that implementing song and music therapy in dementia care has positive impacts, and familiar and preferred music is found to increase the sense of environmental familiarity for people suffering from dementia.…”

The Outcomes of a Person-centered, Non-Pharmacological Intervention in Reducing Behavioral and Psychiatric Symptoms in Residents With Advanced Dementia in Australian Rural Nursing Homes

“…Person-centered music that incorporates the cultural differences, personal memories, and individual taste has shown to improve attention, ability to access remote memory and emotions [15]. However, a recent study did not show statistically signi cant decline in behavioral and psychiatric symptoms after 6 weeks of person-centered music intervention [16]. These interventions did not adopt PLST as a theoretical framework for staff education and employed music intervention as stand-alone intervention without a comprehensive person-centered care plan [17,18].…”

The Perspectives of Professional Caregivers on Implementing Audio-Based Technology in Residential Dementia Care

“…Over the years, researchers from various disciplines have demonstrated the beneficial effects of music for people with dementia [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. For instance, music can reduce stress and agitated behavior [ 8 ] and can positively influence residents’ emotional states and mood in residential dementia care [ 5 , 9 ]. Furthermore, music from a person’s past can evoke autobiographical memories [ 10 , 11 , 12 ] and can support recognizing and maintaining identity [ 13 , 14 ].…”