The Effectiveness of Music and/or Massage on Satisfaction, Wellbeing and Quality of Life Indicators for Lucid Older Adults in Residential Aged Care

Abstract

Objectives The overall objective of this review is to determine the best available evidence regarding the effectiveness of music and/or massage on quality of life, wellbeing and satisfaction indicators for lucid older adults (those aged 70 years or older, or 50 years or older for indigenous adults) in residential aged care. Question Is music and/or massage effective on quality of life, wellbeing and satisfaction indicators for lucid older adults in residential aged care? Criteria for considering studies for the review Participants These will include all older adults not diagnosed with dementia, in a residential aged care setting. It will include acute and chronic behaviours of concern (not including altered mental states). Older adults are defined as aged 70 years or over, or aged 50 years or over for indigenous residents (as stated by the Australian Government’s Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2004). Residents who are aged younger than 70 years (or 50 years for indigenous residents), and those with the specific altered mental states such as confusion, dementia or agitation are excluded from the review. Interventions Music therapy (both receptive and active therapy will be included): The following categories will be included: • Quiet, • Popular, • Relaxing, • Stimulating, or • Individually preferred music. Played either to, or by, groups or individuals. Massage therapy: Massage therapies without aromatherapies carried out by a qualified therapist, including: • Massage with or without plain carrier oils • Partial or full body massage For the purposes of this review, massage therapies are required to include physical soft tissue manipulation, thus excluding touch therapies such as therapeutic touch, acupressure and reflexology, unless some element of manipulative massage was also clearly included. Aromatherapy is defined as the use of essential oils, papers including aromatherapy will be included provided the data related to massage can be extracted and analysed separately. Aromatherapy is not included in this review. Outcome Measures • Satisfaction – any personal or group measures of satisfaction, measured by validated scales, classifications and measurement systems. • Quality of life – any measure of quality of life utilising the following definition TRUNCATED AT 350 WORDS