Effects of a Music Therapy Strategy on Depressed Older Adults

Abstract Music interventions and music therapy have become more common globally as nonpharmacological treatment options for memory loss, pain management, reduction of behavioral and psychological symptoms, and increased quality of life. Knowledge of multiethnic interventions is important when creating evidence-based programs within culturally diverse countries, such as the U.S. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyze music interventions for older adults across the globe to better understand emerging best practices. A review of all trials registered at clinicaltrials.gov and registries in the WHO Registry Network containing the key words “music therapy” were included, regardless of intervention type. Of the 627 studies generated, 449 met the eligibility criteria, with 11% enrolling only older adults and 89% enrolling older adults along with other age groups. Studies were conducted in 6 continents, 48 countries (23% in the U.S.), and in 23 languages. Music interventions for specific medical conditions (64%) or medical procedures (24%) were the primary foci in studies. While studies crossed multiple continents, less than 2% referenced ethnicity or culture in the study details. Detailed data on intervention types, demographics, measures, settings, and methodology will be presented. Results suggest that best practices in music therapy are being developed world-wide for the multitude of health challenges faced by older adults and demonstrate the diversity of music interventions in both medical and community settings. Information from this review can be used to improve the implementation of music intervention programs and may be particularly beneficial in countries with diverse multicultural populations.

Download Full-text

Socio-emotional and motor engagement during musical activities in older adults with major neurocognitive impairment

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94686-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lise Hobeika ◽

Matthieu Ghilain ◽

Loris Schiaratura ◽

Micheline Lesaffre ◽

Dominique Huvent-Grelle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Music Therapy ◽

Body Motion ◽

Emotional Engagement ◽

Live Performance ◽

Rhythmic Movements ◽

Motor Activities ◽

Clinical Benefits ◽

Video Condition ◽

Musical Activities

AbstractAlthough music therapy may engender clinical benefits in patients with neurodegenerative disease, the impacts of social and musical factors of such activities on socio-emotional and motor engagements are poorly understood. To address this issue, non-verbal behaviors of 97 patients with or without major cognitive impairment (CI) were assessed when listening to music or a metronome in front of a musician who was present physically (live) or virtually (video). Socio-emotional engagement was quantified as emotional facial expression production and gaze direction. Motor engagement was quantified as overall body motion and the production of rhythmic movements. In both groups, positive facial expressions were more frequent and rhythmic motor activities lasted longer with music than with a metronome, and during a live performance rather than a video performance. Relative to patients without CI, patients with CI moved less with music, expressed fewer emotions, and spent less time looking at the musician in the video condition and in the metronome condition. The relative reductions in motor and socio-emotional engagements in patients with CI might be markers of disease progression. However, the presence of a live partner induces older adults to engage emotionally and physically in musical activities emphasizing the relevance of using live performance as motivational levers during music therapy.

Download Full-text

Telehealth music therapy for persons with dementia and/or caregivers

Music and Medicine ◽

10.47513/mmd.v13i3.821 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 206-210

Author(s):

Amy Clements-Cortés ◽

Melissa Mercadal-Brotons ◽

Tereza Raquel Alcântara Silva ◽

Shirlene Vianna Moreira

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Interaction ◽

Best Practices ◽

Music Therapy ◽

Music Therapists ◽

Starting Point ◽

And Training ◽

Practical Recommendations

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed many restrictions on social interaction. Although these restrictions are challenging for everyone, they are particularly difficult for older adults who are often isolated. While telehealth has been around for a number of years, it had not been practiced to any great extent by music therapists until COVID-19. Telehealth will continue to prove valuable even when the pandemic ends, and as a result, it is timely to assess the benefits and recommendations for best practices. This paper provides a starting point of reflection for telehealth for persons with dementia, offering practical recommendations and implications for planning and training.

Download Full-text

Telehealth Music Therapy Services in the United States With Older Adults: A Descriptive Study

Music Therapy Perspectives ◽

10.1093/mtp/miab028 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Lindsey Wilhelm ◽

Kyle Wilhelm

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Older Adults ◽

Music Therapy ◽

Response Rate ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

The United States ◽

Age Group ◽

Music Therapists ◽

Therapy Services ◽

Therapy Sessions

Abstract In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many music therapists in the United States turned to telehealth music therapy sessions as a strategy to continue services with older adults. However, the nature and perception of telehealth music therapy services for this age group are unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe music therapy telehealth practices with older adults in the United States including information related to session implementation, strengths and challenges, and adaptations to clinical practice. Of the 110 participants in the United States who responded to the survey (25.2% response rate), 69 reported implementing telehealth music therapy services with older adults and responded to a 32-item survey. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. Results indicated that while all participants had provided telehealth music therapy for no more than 6 months, their experiences with telehealth varied. Based on participant responses, telehealth session structure, strengths, challenges, and implemented changes are presented. Overall, 48% of music therapists reported that they planned to continue telehealth music therapy with older adults once pandemic restrictions are lifted. Further study on the quality, suitability, and acceptability of telehealth services with older adults is recommended.

Download Full-text

Use of Music Therapy as an Audiological Rehabilitation Tool in the Elderly Population: A Mini-Review

Frontiers in Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fnins.2021.662087 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Anne Sophie Grenier ◽

Louise Lafontaine ◽

Andréanne Sharp

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Music Therapy ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Social Participation ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Vestibular Function ◽

The Elderly ◽

The Impact

It is well known and documented that sensory perception decreases with age. In the elderly population, hearing loss and reduced vestibular function are among the most prevalently affected senses. Two important side effects of sensory deprivation are cognitive decline and decrease in social participation. Hearing loss, vestibular function impairment, and cognitive decline all lead to a decrease in social participation. Altogether, these problems have a great impact on the quality of life of the elderly. This is why a rehabilitation program covering all of these aspects would therefore be useful for clinicians. It is well known that long-term music training can lead to cortical plasticity. Behavioral improvements have been measured for cognitive abilities and sensory modalities (auditory, motor, tactile, and visual) in healthy young adults. Based on these findings, it is possible to wonder if this kind of multisensory training would be an interesting therapy to not only improve communication but also help with posture and balance, cognitive abilities, and social participation. The aim of this review is to assess and validate the impact of music therapy in the context of hearing rehabilitation in older adults. Musical therapy seems to have a positive impact on auditory perception, posture and balance, social integration, and cognition. While the benefits seem obvious, the evidence in the literature is scarce. However, there is no reason not to recommend the use of music therapy as an adjunct to audiological rehabilitation in the elderly when possible. Further investigations are needed to conclude on the extent of the benefits that music therapy could bring to older adults. More data are needed to confirm which hearing abilities can be improved based on the many characteristics of hearing loss. There is also a need to provide a clear protocol for clinicians on how this therapy should be administered to offer the greatest possible benefits.

Download Full-text