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A group music intervention using percussion instruments with familiar music to reduce anxiety and agitation of institutionalized older adults with dementia
Author(s) -
Sung Hueichuan,
Lee Wenli,
Li Tzaili,
Watson Roger
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.2761
Subject(s) - dementia , anxiety , intervention (counseling) , psychology , music therapy , hamilton anxiety rating scale , rating scale , clinical psychology , physical therapy , psychiatry , medicine , developmental psychology , disease , pathology
Objective This experimental study aimed to evaluate the effects of a group music intervention on anxiety and agitation of institutionalized older adults with dementia. Methods A total of 60 participants were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group. The experimental group received a 30‐min music intervention using percussion instruments with familiar music in a group setting in mid afternoon twice weekly for 6 weeks, whereas the control group received usual care with no music intervention. The Rating of Anxiety in Dementia scale was used to assess anxiety, and Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory was used to assess agitation at baseline, week 4 and week 6. Results Repeated measures analysis of covariance indicated that older adults who received a group music intervention had a significantly lower anxiety score than those in the control group while controlling for pre‐test score and cognitive level ( F = 8.98, p = 0.004). However, the reduction of agitation between two groups was not significantly different. Conclusions Anxiety and agitation are common in older adults with dementia and have been reported by caregivers as challenging care problems. An innovative group music intervention using percussion instruments with familiar music as a cost‐effective approach has the potential to reduce anxiety and improve psychological well‐being of those with dementia. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.