Integrative Review of Singing and Music Interventions for Family Carers of People Living With Dementia
Journal
Health Promotion International
Year
2022
Abstract
The majority of people living with dementia are cared for by their families. Family carers play a vital role in upholding the formal care system. Caring for a family member with dementia can be fulfilling. However, this role can have a considerable negative impact on family carers' mental and physical health and quality of life. Several empirical research studies have recently been conducted that explore the potential benefits of music interventions for family carers of people living with dementia. Singing has been the primary musical medium employed. This article presents the first review of this literature to date. It investigates the impact of music interventions on the health and well-being of family carers of people living with dementia, and how they experience and perceive these interventions. Whittemore and Knafl's five-stage integrative review framework was utilized: (i) problem identification; (ii) literature search; (iii) data evaluation; (iv) data analysis and synthesis; and (v) presentation of the findings. A total of 33 studies met the inclusion criteria. Analysis and synthesis resulted in three overarching themes: impact on family carers, carer perceptions of music interventions and null quantitative findings in small studies. The review found that singing and music interventions may improve family carers' social and emotional well-being, enhance their ability to cope and care and ameliorate the caring relationship, contributing to experiences of flourishing. However, it highlighted that this area is under-researched and pointed to the need for larger, more rigorous studies.
Music and Health Institute Terms
Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Caregivers; Coping; Long-Term Care Facility; Mental Health; Neurodegenerative Disorders; Quality of Life; Wellness and Well-Being; Recreative Music Methods; Singing a Song
Indexed Terms
Caregivers; Dementia; Family; Quality of Life; Singing; dementia; family carers; integrative review; singing
Study Type
Integrative Review; Quantitative Methods
PubMed ID
35417003
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Lee, S., Allison, T., O'Neill, D., Punch, P., Helitzer, E., & Moss, H. (2022). Integrative Review of Singing and Music Interventions for Family Carers of People Living With Dementia. Health Promotion International, 37 (Supplement_1), i49-i61. Retrieved from https://remix.berklee.edu/mhi-citations/167