Strategies for Recruiting People With Dementia to Music Therapy Studies: Systematic Review

Abstract

Positive effects of music therapy for people with dementia and their family carers are reported in a growing number of studies. However, small sample sizes or low recruitment rates often limit the success of these research studies. More adequately powered evidence-based studies are needed to impact policy and funding in dementia care. This systematic review examined recruitment strategies in music therapy clinical trials involving people living with dementia and/or their family carers. Eligible studies described enrolment, consent, accrual, or recruitment methods as well as recruitment or consent rates. Thirty studies with a total of 1,192 participants were included. Recruitment and conversion rates in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) (14 studies) were substantially higher than in community-based studies (16 studies). Whereas studies in RACFs most commonly recruited participants through staff approaching residents face-to-face or conversing with residents’ legal guardians, community-based studies utilized a vast array of strategies, including staff referral, demonstrations/information sessions by researchers, advertisements, and direct contact with residents. Recruitment rates are likely to be higher when recruiters have an existing relationship with potential participants and when an independent third-party dementia organization is involved. Randomized controlled trials led to equally or greater recruitment conversion rates than other designs. Findings suggest that recruitment in dementia trials is complex, challenging, and needs thorough planning and consideration to be time- and cost-effective. Future studies should include reporting of recruitment strategies, enrolment rates, and related aspects so that researchers can better design recruitment strategies and estimate resources needed to reach the target sample size.

Effects of a music therapy and music listening intervention for nursing home residents with dementia: a randomized controlled trial

“…Small sample sizes or low recruitment rates often limit the success of comparable research studies ( 58 ), approximately 50% of clinical trials fall short of reaching their recruitment targets ( 59 ). Results of a recent review from Baker et al ( 58 ), with the aim of researching the percentage of music therapy studies of people living with dementia met their target sample size, showed that only one study from the 14 studies reviewed (music therapy delivered in people with dementia living in nursing homes) reached 89% of its target sample size. Only five studies had a RCT design and only one study had a sample size over 100 ( N = 117).…”

Exploration of combined physical activity and music for patients with Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review

“…In addition, four main music-based interventions are commonly distinguished in therapeutic practice, which may overlap or be mixed, namely, music-based activities, such as choir singing or drumming, that include improvising, listening, recreating, and composing ( Stegemann et al, 2019 ). Previous studies have proved that music therapy can be applied to the clinical practice of various neurological and psychiatric disorders ( Boso et al, 2006 ; Baker et al, 2021 ). Furthermore, combined physical activity and music interventions produce considerable benefits for patients with AD, including improved heart rates, skin conductance, motor patterns, neuroendocrine response, and immunological functions ( Ooishi et al, 2017 ).…”