Keeping the Beat: Use of Rhythmic Music During Exercise Activities for the Elderly With Dementia

Journal

American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias

Year

2001

Volume

16

Issue

6

First Page

377

Last Page

380

Abstract

Involving people with dementia in group exercise activities often presents a challenge. The effects of a recorded instrumental musical accompaniment was evaluated on participation in a series of 14 exercise activities with a group of nursing home residents with dementia. All exercise sessions, specifically designed by physical therapists for older adults, were lead by an activity aide and consisted of a series of seated exercises. Direct observations of resident behavior were conducted over a 25-week period in a reversal experimental design. Results showed increased levels of participation during the experimental condition observations where rhythmic music accompanied the exercise activities. The music intervention was most successful on those generally most willing to participate in social activities.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Elderly; Engagement Level; Long-Term Care Facility; Music Entrainment; Neurodegenerative Disorders

Indexed Terms

Elderly; Elderly; Alzheimer Disease; Exercise; Periodicity

Study Type

Case Study; Qualitative Methods

Disciplines

Geriatrics

PubMed ID

11765863

Document Type

Article

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