Effects of a music therapy and music listening intervention for nursing home residents with dementia: a randomized controlled trial

Anna-Eva J C Prick; Sytse U Zuidema; Peter van Domburg; Peter Verboon; Annemieke C Vink; Jos M G A Schols; Susan van Hooren

doi:10.3389/fmed.2024.1304349

Effects of a music therapy and music listening intervention for nursing home residents with dementia: a randomized controlled trial

Front Med (Lausanne). 2024 Feb 6:11:1304349. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1304349. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Anna-Eva J C Prick^{1

2}, Sytse U Zuidema^{3

4}, Peter van Domburg⁵, Peter Verboon⁶, Annemieke C Vink⁷, Jos M G A Schols^{8

9}, Susan van Hooren²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Creative Arts Therapies, Zuyd Hogeschool, Heerlen, Netherlands.
² Department of Clinical Psychology, Open Universiteit, Heerlen, Netherlands.
³ Department of Primary and Long-Term Care, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
⁴ Alzheimer Centrum Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
⁵ Department of Neurology, Zuyderland Medical Center, Heerlen, Netherlands.
⁶ Department of Methods and Statistics, Open Universiteit, Heerlen, Netherlands.
⁷ Department of Music Therapy, ArtEZ University of the Arts, Arnhem, Netherlands.
⁸ Department of HSR, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
⁹ Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of an individual music therapy intervention and an individual music listening intervention on neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in people with dementia living in a nursing home and on professional caregiver's burden to be able to make statements about their specific value of application in clinical practice.

Methods: A multicenter single blind randomized controlled trial with three groups was performed: an individual music therapy intervention (IMTI) group (n = 49), an individual music listening intervention (IMLI) group (n = 56) and a control group (n = 53) receiving usual care. The interventions were given during three weeks, three times a week on non-consecutive days during 30-45 minutes for in total nine sessions. The endpoint of the study is the difference from baseline to interim (1,5 week), post-intervention (3 weeks) and follow-up (6 weeks) in reported scores of problem behaviour (NPI-NH) and quality of life (Qualidem) in people with dementia and occupational disruptiveness (NPI-NH) in care professionals.

Results: In total 158 people with dementia were randomized to one of the two intervention groups or the control group. Multilevel analyses demonstrated that hyperactive behaviour assessed by the NPI-NH was significantly more reduced for the IMLI group at follow up and that restless behaviour assessed by the Qualidem was significantly more reduced for the IMTI group at post and follow-up measurement compared to the control group. No significant effects between groups were found in other NPI-NH clusters or Qualidem subscales.

Conclusion: In conclusion, because we found no convincing evidence that the IMTI or IMLI is more effective than the other both interventions should be considered in clinical practice. For the future, we advise further research into the sustainability of the effects with alternative designs, like a single case experimental design.

Keywords: dementia; music listening; music therapy; neuropsychiatric symptoms; nursing home; problem behaviour; psychosocial intervention; quality of life.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. The research is subsidized by ZonMw, an independent Dutch self governing organisation (grant number: 733050703).