Individualized Music Played for Agitated Patients With Dementia: Analysis of Video-recorded Sessions

Journal

International Journal of Nursing Practice

Year

2001

Abstract

Many nursing home patients with dementia suffer from symptoms of agitation (e.g. anxiety, shouting, irritability). This study investigated whether individualized music could be used as a nursing intervention to reduce such symptoms in four patients with severe dementia. The patients were video-recorded during four sessions in four periods, including a control period without music, two periods where individualized music was played, and one period where classical music was played. The recordings were analysed by systematic observations and the Facial Action Coding System. Two patients became calmer during some of the individualized music sessions; one patient remained sitting in her armchair longer, and the other patient stopped shouting. For the two patients who were most affected by dementia, the noticeable effect of music was minimal. If the nursing staff succeed in discovering the music preferences of an individual, individualized music may be an effective nursing intervention to mitigate anxiety and agitation for some patients.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Anxiety; Calmness; Elderly; Mental Health; Music Listening; Music Medicine; Neurodegenerative Disorders; Psychological Outcomes; Recorded Music Listening

Indexed Terms

Elderly; Elderly; Dementia; Emotions; Facial Expression; Psychomotor Agitation; Relaxation Therapy; Videotape Recording

Study Type

Case Study; Qualitative Methods

PubMed ID

11811810

Document Type

Article

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