The Music Engagement Program for people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia: Pilot feasibility trial outcomes

Amelia Gulliver; Georgia Pike; Michelle Banfield; Alyssa R Morse; Natasha Katruss; Harley Valerius; Melanie Pescud; Mitchell McMaster; Susan West

doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2021.101930

The Music Engagement Program for people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia: Pilot feasibility trial outcomes

Eval Program Plann. 2021 Aug:87:101930. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2021.101930. Epub 2021 Mar 3.

Authors

Amelia Gulliver¹, Georgia Pike², Michelle Banfield², Alyssa R Morse², Natasha Katruss², Harley Valerius³, Melanie Pescud⁴, Mitchell McMaster⁵, Susan West⁶

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Building 63 Eggleston Road, Acton, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia. Electronic address: amelia.gulliver@anu.edu.au.
² Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Building 63 Eggleston Road, Acton, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
³ Noah's Ark Inc., 2/6 Farr Pl, Isaacs ACT 2607, Canberra, Australia.
⁴ Menzies Centre for Health Governance, School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet), College of Asia and the Pacific, The Australian National University, Coombs Extension Building (no 8), Fellows Road, Acton, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
⁵ Centre for Research on Ageing, Health, and Wellbeing, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Florey Building 54, Mills Road, Acton, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
⁶ School of Education / School of Theology, Charles Sturt University, 15 Blackall Street, Barton, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia.

PMID: 33711690
DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2021.101930

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease and dementia are common, highly disabling conditions frequently requiring residential care. This exploratory proof-of-concept study aimed to determine if the specialised Music Engagement Program (MEP) was sustainable, acceptable, and effective in improving quality of life, emotional wellbeing, and depression symptoms in this population. Sixteen residents, six staff members, and three family and community members took part in the evaluation of the MEP for people living with dementia in a residential aged-care nursing home in Canberra, Australia. Multiple methods were used. Quantitative evaluation assessed residents' depression symptoms (Cornell scale) at pre- and post-intervention, and emotional wellbeing pre- and post-session. Qualitative interviews with staff, and family and community members addressed the MEP's acceptability and potential sustainability. Results showed residents' mean depression scores were reduced from pre- to post-intervention (p = .039; d_z = 0.72). Interviews established multiple benefits for residents including improved mood, calmness, and reduced aggression. However, staff did not believe it was feasible to continue the MEP sessions beyond the trial period without an external facilitator, citing potential difficulties in adhering to internal activities due to time constraints. This pilot study provides encouraging preliminary evidence for the MEP's acceptability and potential effectiveness for improving depression and wellbeing in this group.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Dementia; Depression; Feasibility; Intervention; Music.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Alzheimer Disease* / therapy
Dementia* / therapy
Feasibility Studies
Humans
Music*
Pilot Projects
Program Evaluation
Quality of Life