Abstract
This study examined the relationship between music participation and social behavior of moderately to severely impaired Alzheimer's individuals residing in a 24-bed facility for Alzheimer's care and research. Eight subjects, three males and five females, ages 67 to 85, were treated individually in six 20-minute sessions over a period of 2 weeks. Each subject participated with the music therapist in one or more music activities, selected according to preferred music response and adapted to cognitive and motor functioning level. Frequency of social behavior was measured in a pretest-postest in each session using direct observation of subject behaviors recorded on a behavioral checklist. Evaluation of behavioral observations at the close of the treatment period indicated a 24% increase in social behavior for the group and varying rates of increase for all subjects. A chi-square test indicated significant results (χ2 = 14.2, df = 1, p < .001). A positive response of subjects to the music treatment was indicated during sessions by increased participation, smiling, eye contact, and verbal feedback expressing pleasure in the activities. The results of the study suggest that individualized music activity with Alzheimer's patients may facilitate interaction during music and encourage further social contract after music.
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