17 The MusiCARER project: building capacity for high-quality research on the role of music therapy in supporting informal carers of people at end of life

Abstract

<h3>Introduction</h3> Informal carers of people at end of life often experience emotional distress, and some experience complicated grief. Music therapy can offer flexible support pre- and post-bereavement which may mitigate risk factors including pre-bereavement depression, anxiety, and family conflict at end of life. However, research on improving outcomes is limited. <h3>Aims</h3> Identifying research gaps and building research capacity regarding supporting carers of people at end of life; designing music therapy support for pre- and post-bereavement. <h3>Method</h3> Phase 1: Systematic literature review (using Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for mixed-method segregated systematic reviews) on music therapy with informal carers of people at end of life, to synthesise and critically evaluate the evidence-base and identify gaps. Phase 2: Expert stakeholder workshop using World Café approach with academics, music therapists, and other healthcare professionals. Phase 3: Stakeholders (including bereaved individuals) will collaboratively design a music therapy intervention, adapted to the needs of carers, and that can be used within routine NHS care. <h3>Results</h3> A study overview and outline of preliminary review findings (currently at data extraction stage) will be presented. The presentation will outline how experts may become involved in the World Café event (flexible and design principle-informed format to facilitate large group discussion, scheduled for May 2022) to develop an agenda for maximising research effectiveness and impact in this area. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Findings will offer a systematically collated synthesis and critical evaluation of the evidence-base and a co-designed, tailored music therapy intervention, that can be used as part of routine NHS care. <h3>Impact</h3> Conclusions will help develop a funding application to test the feasibility of our co-designed music therapy intervention, with the final aim of improving outcomes for informal carers of people at end of life.