Investigating the impact of music therapy on two in-patient psychiatric wards for people living with dementia: Retrospective observational study

Journal

BJPsych Open

Year

2023

Volume

9

Abstract

Background: Music therapy can lift mood and reduce agitation for people living with dementia (PwD) in community and residential care settings, potentially reducing the prevalence of distress behaviours. However, less is known about the impact of music therapy on in-patient psychiatric wards for PwD. Aims: To investigate the impact of music therapy on two in-patient psychiatric wards for PwD. Method: A mixed-methods design was used. Statistical analysis was conducted on incidents involving behaviours reported as ‘disruptive and aggressive’ in 2020, when music therapy delivery varied because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews conducted online with three music therapists and eight ward-based staff were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Quantitative findings showed a significant reduction in the frequency of behaviours reported as disruptive and aggressive on days with in-person music therapy (every 14 days) than on the same weekday with no or online music therapy (every 3.3 or 3.1 days, respectively). Qualitative findings support this, with music therapy reported by music therapists and staff members to be accessible and meaningful, lifting mood and reducing agitation, with benefits potentially lasting throughout the day and affecting the ward environment. Conclusions: We identified a significant reduction in the occurrence of distress behaviours on days with in-person music therapy when compared with no music therapy. Music therapy was reported to be a valuable intervention, supporting patient mood and reducing agitation. Interventional studies are needed to investigate the impact of music therapy and its optimum mode of delivery. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Music and Health Institute Terms

Neurodegenerative Disorders; Alzherimer's and Related Dementias; Distress; Behavioral State; Mood; Stress; Observational Measures; Caregivers; Mental Health Setting; Music Therapy; Recreative Music Methods; Community Music Experience

Indexed Terms

Intervention; Comorbidity; dementia; Dementia; Psychiatric Units; Hospitalized Patients; agitation; Agitation; Distress; distress behaviour; in-patient psychiatric wards

Study Type

Quasi-Experimental Study; Quantitative Methods

Disciplines

Music Therapy | Neurology

Document Type

Article

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