The Use of Music Therapy to Decrease Wandering: An Alternative to Restraints

Abstract

This case study explores the effectiveness of music therapy and reading sessions in decreasing wandering. Data were recorded on the amount of time an 81-year-old female patient diagnosed with probable Alzheimer's disease remained seated during both music therapy and reading sessions. The resident wandered continuously throughout the day and was unable to remain seated for any activity. Neither condition included the use of physical or verbal prompting when the patient got up to leave. Both the music therapy and reading sessions redirected the patient from wandering, but the total time during which she sat for the music therapy sessions was double that of the reading sessions. The impact of music therapy on communication and interaction is also discussed.