The Effects of Individualized Music Listening on Affective, Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sundowning Symptoms of Dementia in Long-term Care Residents
Journal
Journal of Aging and Health
Year
2022
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to replicate music's positive effects on dementia-related symptoms, determine whether a 6-month intervention would lead to greater positive outcomes than typical 3- to 4-month interventions, and examine changes in sundowning symptoms after music listening. METHODS: 282 nursing home residents with dementia listened to personalized music playlists 1-3 times weekly for 30 minutes across 6 months. Standardized assessments of affect, behavior, and cognition and direct observations of sundowning symptoms comprised the outcomes. RESULTS: Results documented significant improvements in residents' general neuropsychiatric symptoms, agitation, and depression across the first 3 months, but no additional improvements across the subsequent 3 months. Seven sundowning symptoms significantly improved following music listening, with some (e.g., disengagement) being more amenable to music than others (e.g., aggression). DISCUSSION: Results support short-term individualized music listening as an effective non-pharmacological approach for improving dementia-related symptoms in nursing home residents and suggest new applications of music-related interventions.
Music and Health Institute Terms
Agitation; Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Anxiety; Confusion; Depression; Elderly; Long-Term Care Facility; Mental Health; Music Listening; Neurodegenerative Disorders; Subjective Measures; Symptom Management
Indexed Terms
Cognition; Dementia; Long-Term Care; Nursing Homes; agitation; dementia; depression; long-term care residents; personalized music playlists; sundowning symptoms
Study Type
Quasi-Experimental Study; Quantitative Methods
PubMed ID
34346261
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Lineweaver, T. T., Bergeson, T. R., Ladd, K., Johnson, H., Braid, D., Ott, M., Hay, D. P., Plewes, J., Hinds, M., LaPradd, M. L., Bolander, H., Vitelli, S., Lain, M., & Brimmer, T. (2022). The Effects of Individualized Music Listening on Affective, Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sundowning Symptoms of Dementia in Long-term Care Residents. Journal of Aging and Health, 34 (1), 130-143. Retrieved from https://remix.berklee.edu/mhi-citations/164
