posted on 2022-10-12, 13:02authored bySophie Elizabeth Lee
Dementia can negatively impact the well-being of people living with dementia and their
family carers. Existing research suggests that music interventions may be effective, safe
alternatives to pharmacological interventions for the promotion of well-being in people
living with dementia, with lesser evidence for family carers.
This research project consists of three studies which address specific gaps in this
literature.
Study 1 is an integrative review of existing literature on the impact of music
psychosocial interventions on the health and well-being of family carers of people
living with dementia, and how they experience and perceive these interventions. It
found that music psychosocial 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, pointed to the need for larger, more rigorous studies, and
observed a prevalence of null results for quantitative measures.
Study 2 investigated (a) the role of music in early-stage dementia and (b) the impact of a
community-based group singing intervention on the well-being of people living with
early-stage dementia and their family carers. It employed a sequential embedded mixed
methods design. It found music to be beneficial and accessible in early-stage dementia.
It also found that participation in a community-based group singing intervention may
contribute to multidimensional enhancement of well-being for people living with early stage dementia and their family carers.
Study 3 was qualitative and investigated facilitators’ experiences and perceptions of
dementia-inclusive group singing during COVID-19. It found that some people living
with dementia may have the capacity to engage in online music programmes, but
challenges of digital inclusion exist. The ability of online music programmes to foster
social connection was also observed.
Further research is required to extend the findings of Studies 2 and 3 due to the small
sample sizes utilised.
The findings of this research project contribute to a growing body of evidence of the
capacity of music interventions to improve the well-being of people living with
dementia and their family carers. They provide support for the increased provision and
accessibility of music psychosocial interventions for these populations
Funding
Using the Cloud to Streamline the Development of Mobile Phone Apps