Contributions of Music to Aging Adults' Quality of Life

Journal

Journal of Music Therapy

Year

2010

Abstract

The purpose of this study was: (a) To evaluate and to compare the impact of three music programs (choir, music appreciation and preventive music therapy sessions) on the quality of life of healthy older adults, and (b) to identify the motivations and the difficulties that seniors encounter when participating in activities of this type, in order to come up with recommendations and strategies for the design of appropriate programs for older adults. A pre-posttest quasi-experimental design without equivalent control group was used in this project. The sample included 83 persons over 65 years of age. The data collection was carried out through an ad hoc questionnaire that included the four aspects of the construct of quality of life (physical health, subjective health, psychological well-being and interpersonal relations), a questionnaire on motivation and another on satisfaction about the program. This questionnaire on quality of life was administered twice: at the beginning of the programs (pretest) and at the end (posttest). The results of this study indicate that the participants perceived improvements in some aspects of their quality of life. In addition, the main reasons which motivate participation in these musical activities are to broaden the social network and to acquire new knowledge. The results are discussed in the light of the challenges of active and satisfactory aging. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Music and Health Institute Terms

Elderly; Engagement Level; Music Therapy; Patient Satisfaction; Psychological Outcomes; Quality of Life; Questionnaires; Wellness and Well-Being

Indexed Terms

aging; quality of life; psychological well being; participation; Elderly; Elderly; Anxiety; Fatigue; Interpersonal Relations; Personal Satisfaction; Relaxation; Social Environment; Social Support; Surveys and Questionnaires; Well Being

Study Type

Quasi-Experimental Study; Quantitative Methods

Document Type

Article

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