Effects of Personalized Music on Caregivers of Older Adults With Dementia in the Community

Journal

Wisconsin Medical Journal

Year

2019

Volume

118

Issue

2

First Page

80

Last Page

83

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Music is a relatively low-cost and low-risk approach to managing the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study provided personalized music for 3 months to 25 older adults with dementia living in their homes with a caregiver and measured how the intervention affected the caregivers, including their perception of distress. METHODS: Caregivers completed the Caregiving Distress Scale (CDS) at pre- and postintervention and also participated in semistructured, in-depth, qualitative interviews. RESULTS: Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS; qualitative data were analyzed using NVivo. Paired t-tests revealed a decrease in total CDS scores (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Overall, caregivers believed that personalized music supported them and reduced stress.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Caregivers; Distress; Elderly; Home Setting; Interviews; Mental Health; Mood Scales; Music Listening; Neurodegenerative Disorders; Self-Report Measures; Stress; Symptom Management

Indexed Terms

Elderly; Caregivers; Dementia; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Wisconsin

Study Type

Mixed Methods

Disciplines

Neurology

PubMed ID

31532933

Document Type

Article

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