Individual music therapy for managing neuropsychiatric symptoms for people with dementia and their carers: a cluster randomised controlled feasibility study

BMC Geriatrics

Research Article

Jörg Fachner¹  Helen Odell-Miller¹  Rosamund Flowerdew²  Ming Hung Hsu³  Michael Parker⁴ 

[1] Department of Music and Performing Arts, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK;Methodist Homes (MHA), Derby, UK;Methodist Homes (MHA), Derby, UK;Department of Music and Performing Arts, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK;Postgraduate Medical Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK;

关键词: Music therapy;    Caregiving;    Neuropsychiatric symptoms;    Dementia;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12877-015-0082-4

 received in 2014-12-23, accepted in 2015-07-06,  发布年份 2015

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPrevious research highlights the importance of staff involvement in psychosocial interventions targeting neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia. Music therapy has shown potential effects, but it is not clear how this intervention can be programmed to involve care staff within the delivery of patients’ care. This study reports initial feasibility and outcomes from a five month music therapy programme including weekly individual active music therapy for people with dementia and weekly post-therapy video presentations for their carers in care homes.Methods17 care home residents and 10 care staff were randomised to the music therapy intervention group or standard care control group. The cluster randomised, controlled trial included baseline, 3-month, 5-month and post-intervention 7-month measures of residents’ symptoms and well-being. Carer-resident interactions were also assessed. Feasibility was based on carers’ feedback through semi-structured interviews, programme evaluations and track records of the study.ResultsThe music therapy programme appeared to be a practicable and acceptable intervention for care home residents and staff in managing dementia symptoms. Recruitment and retention data indicated feasibility but also challenges. Preliminary outcomes indicated differences in symptoms (13.42, 95 % CI: [4.78 to 22.07; p = 0.006]) and in levels of wellbeing (−0.74, 95 % CI: [−1.15 to −0.33; p = 0.003]) between the two groups, indicating that residents receiving music therapy improved. Staff in the intervention group reported enhanced caregiving techniques as a result of the programme.ConclusionThe data supports the value of developing a music therapy programme involving weekly active individual music therapy sessions and music therapist-carer communication. The intervention is feasible with modifications in a more rigorous evaluation of a larger sample size.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov, number NCT01744600.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Hsu et al. 2015