Integrative Review of Singing and Music Interventions for Family Carers of People Living With Dementia

Journal

Health Promotion International

Year

2022

Volume

37

Issue

Supplement_1

First Page

i49

Last Page

i61

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

Disciplines

Neurology

PubMed ID

35417003

Document Type

Article

Access Now

Share

COinS