The Use of Music and Music Therapy in Ameliorating Depression Symptoms and Improving Well-Being in Nursing Home Residents With Dementia

Abstract

Background: Studies have shown music therapy can improve depression symptoms in dementia and the use of music activities show promise to have positive impacts on wellbeing. However, few studies show the influence of a music intervention led by certified nursing assistants (CNAs) trained by music therapists to address depression symptoms and wellbeing in individuals with dementia.Methods: Credentialed music therapists (1) administered 2-weeks of music therapy, (2) a 3-days training to CNAs, (3) followed by 2-weeks of music activities, singing and music-with-movement, led by CNAs for 62 nursing home residents with moderate dementia, (4) then measured depression symptoms using the Cornell Scale for Depression. We obtained video consent for 26 of the 62 residents who were video recorded receiving CNA-led music-based caregiving activities. Using the Music in Dementia Scale, over 200 h of video data was observed and raters measured changes in well-being, e.g., levels of enjoyment, mood and engagement in the residents, during the CNA facilitated music activities.Results: A repeated measures ANOVA revealed that mean depression scores differed statistically significantly between time points, p ≤ 0.001. Residents' baseline depression symptoms significantly declined following 2 weeks of music therapy, p ≤ 0.001, increased during a 2-weeks wash-out period, p = 0.389, but appeared to stabilize following the 2-weeks music activity, p = 1.00. A video analysis and paired sampled t-test demonstrated a significant improvement in wellbeing in residents who engaged in music with movement, p = 0.003. Wellbeing improved slightly, but not significantly for residents who participated in the singing intervention, p = 0.165.Conclusion: Findings suggest that music therapy can significantly decrease depression symptoms in nursing home residents with dementia. Music activities designed by music therapists and facilitated by CNAs may help sustain the reduction of depression symptoms and improve wellbeing in nursing home residents with moderate to severe dementia.

The Nexus of ‘Music, Mind, and Well-being’: Effects of Harmony in the Bush Music Intervention for Residents with Advanced Dementia in Australian Rural Nursing Homes

“…Our ndings presented a nexus of 'music, mind, and well-being' regardless of the age and gender of the residents with advanced dementia. Similar to the current literature, this study's ndings reported that the residents had an opportunity for memory connection, leading to a self-expression, because of the music intervention (Ray & Götell, 2018;Cohen et al, 2020). The 's memory connectedness was related to the tempo, dynamic, and style of the music; and their expressions [i.e.…”

Prevalence of dementia in long-term care institutions: a meta-analysis

“…In these patients, neuropsychiatric symptoms have been associated with dementia severity, with most symptoms occurring in patients presenting severe cognitive decline 45 . Individuals with dementia are at risk of developing depression due to memory loss, which can lead to loss of independence and social isolation 46 . Dementia alone is a predictor of institutionalization, especially due to the caregiver burden 8,47 .…”

Strategies for implementing music‐based interventions for people with dementia in long‐term care facilities: A systematic review

“…Ray & Götell 35 measured depressive symptoms using the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), 40 and Weise et al 36 measured agitation using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI). 41 Two studies 34,37 measured psychological wellbeing. Hsu et al 34 measured behavioral well-being using the Dementia Care Mapping, 42 Murphy et al 37 measured mood using a researcher developed scale, and Weise et al 36 measured emotional well-being using the visual analogue scale.…”

“…41 Two studies 34,37 measured psychological wellbeing. Hsu et al 34 measured behavioral well-being using the Dementia Care Mapping, 42 Murphy et al 37 measured mood using a researcher developed scale, and Weise et al 36 measured emotional well-being using the visual analogue scale. For other clinical outcomes, Hsu et al 34 measured the number of antipsychotics and Weise et al 36 measured sleep quality and social participation using the visual analogue scale.…”