"The Impact of Group Music Therapy in Ameliorating the Depression Among" by Honghua Xu, Aoyi Li et al.
 

The Impact of Group Music Therapy in Ameliorating the Depression Among Patients With Dementia in Care Homes: A Randomized Control Trial

Journal

Geriatric Nursing

Year

2024

Abstract

Despite the increasing use of music therapy to treat patients with dementia, studies focused on developing nations are still in their embryonic stages. In this view, this study examined the impact of group music therapy intervention in ameliorating depression levels among older people in two care homes. A randomized control trial (RCT) was carried out in which a total of 121 patients were randomly divided into control 61 and experimental group 60. After 6 weeks, 12-session experiment which involved passive and active music therapy, it was found that music group therapy intervention reduced the depression level of older persons in the experimental group, compared to those who were not exposed to the music therapy; control group. The music therapy session also influenced the salivary cortisol of the patients as it was shown to reduce their salivary cortisol levels. It was also observed that after three months of follow-up, participants in the experimental group still maintained a low level of depression and salivary cortisol level, but the control group's level was still high, thus, substantiating the effect of music in reducing depression among older people. We encouraged clinicians, nursing practitioners and care homes in Nigeria to incorporate music therapy as part of the treatment offered to patients with dementia.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Neurodegenerative Disorders; Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Mental Health; Mood Disorders; Depressive Disorder; Long-Term Care Facility; Subjective Measures; Physiological Measures; Music Therapy; Recreative Music Methods; Community Music Experiences

Indexed Terms

Elderly; Elderly; Care home; Dementia; Depression; Group music; Hydrocortisone; Nigeria; Nursing Homes; Psychotherapy, Group; Therapy

Study Type

Randomized Controlled Trial; Quantitative Methods

PubMed ID

PMID: 38417183

Document Type

Article

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