Abstract
Background: Living at home following a diagnosis of dementia can be difficult for both the person living with dementia (PwD) and their family caregivers (FCG). Active group music participation may provide an avenue for emotional release, offer psychosocial support to caregivers and stimulate meaningful interaction between caregivers and loved ones with dementia. Therapeutic music interventions also have the capacity to facilitate reminiscence and social engagement and can help to manage challenging symptoms associated with dementia, such as anxiety, apathy, and agitation.Method: This feasibility study examined the acceptability of a 20-week therapeutic group singing intervention (Remini-Sing) and quantitative research assessments for PwD/FCG dyads living in the community. Quantitative measures for the following outcomes were tested for sensitivity and acceptability: relationship quality (PwD and FCG); life satisfaction, caregiver satisfaction, flourishing, and depression for FCGs; and anxiety, apathy, agitation, and quality of life for PwD. Quantitative assessments were conducted before, during (midway) and after 20 weeks of participation in a therapeutic singing group attended by the PwD and FCG together. The Remini-Sing intervention incorporated vocal warm ups, singing familiar songs, learning new songs, and opportunities for social interaction. Qualitative interviews were conducted with all dyads that completed the intervention.Results: Twelve PWD/FCG dyads were recruited and enrolled in the study. High participation and retention rates indicated that the intervention was received favorably by participants. There were no statistically significant changes on measures from pre to post intervention. However, favorable baseline scores on relationship quality and wellbeing measures were sustained over the 20-week intervention. The testing of these measures for feasibility also revealed that some were too difficult for PwD and thus yielded questionable results, some were potentially less relevant, and there were likely floor and ceiling effects on several of the measures utilized.Conclusions: This study demonstrated good feasibility for a research protocol and therapeutic group singing intervention for community-dwelling PwD and their FCGs. Participant reflections and researcher observations yielded useful information guiding the selection of quantitative outcome measures for future research in this area.
Highlights
Dementia is a neurodegenerative condition that significantly compromises health and wellbeing for increasingly larger numbers of people as the global population ages
A vast majority of people living with dementia (PwD) remain in the family home with support from informal co-resident primary caregivers, usually a spouse/partner or child [3,4,5]
Of the 20 PwD/family caregivers (FCG) eligible dyads living in the community who registered interest in the project, 12 dyads consented to participate and enrolled in the study (60% participation rate)
Summary
Dementia is a neurodegenerative condition that significantly compromises health and wellbeing for increasingly larger numbers of people as the global population ages. The effects of dementia are devastating for those living with the condition as well as their families and have significant economic consequences for entire health systems. A vast majority of people living with dementia (PwD) remain in the family home with support from informal co-resident primary caregivers, usually a spouse/partner or child [3,4,5]. The societal global costs attributed to informal care provided by family caregivers (FCG) is estimated to be around US$330.8 billion [6]. Remaining in the family home, with familiar people, objects, and memories, provides optimal environmental and care conditions for PwD and reduces costs to society associated with residential care and this is advocated by the World Health Organization [7]. Therapeutic music interventions have the capacity to facilitate reminiscence and social engagement and can help to manage challenging symptoms associated with dementia, such as anxiety, apathy, and agitation
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