Comparative Analysis of Two Musical Genres Within a Multisensory Environmental Intervention

Journal

Journal of Holistic Nursing

Year

2013

Issue

1

First Page

62

Last Page

70

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if there were any differences in the behavioral responses of persons with dementia while listening to nonreligious and religious music within a multisensory environment. RESEARCH DESIGN: A within-subjects, repeated measures design was used. METHOD: Participants were exposed to both musical genres during multiple sessions over a 4-week period. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were recorded before and after the musical intervention. Behavioral responses to the music were recorded while listening to the music. FINDINGS: No significant difference was found between the numbers of neuropsychiatric behaviors observed before and after the participants listened to the nonreligious and religious music. A significant difference was found between the musical interventions as a whole and the number of agitated behaviors before and after intervention. No significant difference was found in the observed behavioral responses with the nonreligious and religious music. CONCLUSIONS: Music can be a useful intervention to reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms in persons with dementia.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Agitation; Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Elderly; Music Listening; Neurodegenerative Disorders; Receptive Music Methods

Indexed Terms

Elderly; Elderly; Dementia; Midwestern United States; Psychomotor Agitation; Religion and Psychology

Study Type

Case Study; Qualitative Methods

Disciplines

Neurology

PubMed ID

23023824

Document Type

Article

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