Teppo Särkämö1, Mari Tervaniemi2, Sari Laitinen3, Ava Numminen4, Merja Kurki3, Julene K Johnson5, Pekka Rantanen6. 1. Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland. Finnish Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Music Research, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. teppo.sarkamo@helsinki.fi. 2. Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland. Finnish Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Music Research, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. 3. Miina Sillanpää Foundation, Helsinki, Finland. 4. Unit of Educational Psychology and Department of Teacher Education, University of Helsinki, Finland. 5. Institute for Health and Aging, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco. 6. Käpylä Rehabilitation Centre, Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: During aging, musical activities can help maintain physical and mental health and cognitive abilities, but their rehabilitative use has not been systematically explored in persons with dementia (PWDs). Our aim was to determine the efficacy of a novel music intervention based on coaching the caregivers of PWDs to use either singing or music listening regularly as a part of everyday care. DESIGN AND METHODS: Eighty-nine PWD-caregiver dyads were randomized to a 10-week singing coaching group (n = 30), a 10-week music listening coaching group (n = 29), or a usual care control group (n = 30). The coaching sessions consisted primarily of singing/listening familiar songs coupled occasionally with vocal exercises and rhythmic movements (singing group) and reminiscence and discussions (music listening group). In addition, the intervention included regular musical exercises at home. All PWDs underwent an extensive neuropsychological assessment, which included cognitive tests, as well as mood and quality of life (QOL) scales, before and after the intervention period and 6 months later. In addition, the psychological well-being of family members was repeatedly assessed with questionnaires. RESULTS: Compared with usual care, both singing and music listening improved mood, orientation, and remote episodic memory and to a lesser extent, also attention and executive function and general cognition. Singing also enhanced short-term and working memory and caregiver well-being, whereas music listening had a positive effect on QOL. IMPLICATIONS: Regular musical leisure activities can have long-term cognitive, emotional, and social benefits in mild/moderate dementia and could therefore be utilized in dementia care and rehabilitation.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: During aging, musical activities can help maintain physical and mental health and cognitive abilities, but their rehabilitative use has not been systematically explored in persons with dementia (PWDs). Our aim was to determine the efficacy of a novel music intervention based on coaching the caregivers of PWDs to use either singing or music listening regularly as a part of everyday care. DESIGN AND METHODS: Eighty-nine PWD-caregiver dyads were randomized to a 10-week singing coaching group (n = 30), a 10-week music listening coaching group (n = 29), or a usual care control group (n = 30). The coaching sessions consisted primarily of singing/listening familiar songs coupled occasionally with vocal exercises and rhythmic movements (singing group) and reminiscence and discussions (music listening group). In addition, the intervention included regular musical exercises at home. All PWDs underwent an extensive neuropsychological assessment, which included cognitive tests, as well as mood and quality of life (QOL) scales, before and after the intervention period and 6 months later. In addition, the psychological well-being of family members was repeatedly assessed with questionnaires. RESULTS: Compared with usual care, both singing and music listening improved mood, orientation, and remote episodic memory and to a lesser extent, also attention and executive function and general cognition. Singing also enhanced short-term and working memory and caregiver well-being, whereas music listening had a positive effect on QOL. IMPLICATIONS: Regular musical leisure activities can have long-term cognitive, emotional, and social benefits in mild/moderate dementia and could therefore be utilized in dementia care and rehabilitation.
Authors: Jenny T van der Steen; Mirjam C van Soest-Poortvliet; Johannes C van der Wouden; Manon S Bruinsma; Rob Jpm Scholten; Annemiek C Vink Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2017-05-02
Authors: Jennie L Dorris; Stephen Neely; Lauren Terhorst; Helena M VonVille; Juleen Rodakowski Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2021-05-18 Impact factor: 7.538
Authors: Jenny T van der Steen; Hanneke Ja Smaling; Johannes C van der Wouden; Manon S Bruinsma; Rob Jpm Scholten; Annemiek C Vink Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2018-07-23