Feasibility and Acceptability of a Group Music Intervention in Memory Care Communities

Journal

Journal of Applied Gerontology

Year

2022

Abstract

Music-based interventions have been shown to reduce behavioral expressions among persons with dementia. The goal of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a group music intervention to reduce agitation. Two memory care communities were recruited to participate in this single-arm mixed-methods study. The group music intervention program included a total of 12 sessions delivered over 4 weeks. Agitation was assessed quantitatively at weeks 0, 2, and 4. Qualitative interviews of memory care staff were conducted post-intervention. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models and qualitative content analysis. The study sample (N = 19) had a mean age of 82.74, and 73.7% were female. The great majority of participants completed the intervention and 63.2% experienced a reduction in agitation, suggesting that the intervention is feasible and acceptable in memory care and may be efficacious. Future research should evaluate the efficacy of the intervention in a randomized controlled trial.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Agitation; Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Elderly; Interviews; Long-Term Care Facility; Music Listening; Symptom Management; Neurodegenerative Disorders

Indexed Terms

Behavior Therapy; Dementia; Feasibility Studies; activities; agitation; dementia; group intervention; music listening

Study Type

Mixed Methods

PubMed ID

35341380

Document Type

Article

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