Groundbreaking research has revealed that music therapy could be a game-changer in the treatment of dementia, potentially reducing distress in those living with the condition
A recent study conducted at ARU has demonstrated the profound impact of personalised music sessions in significantly alleviating distress and agitation in dementia patients, underscoring the potential of this simple yet potent therapeutic approach.
A new study from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) suggests that personalised music therapy could play a key role in easing distress and agitation among people living with dementia. By tailoring musical sessions to individual preferences, researchers found a meaningful reduction in challenging behaviours, offering a non-invasive and compassionate approach to dementia care.
The research has been published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry.
Using music therapy on dementia wards
Researchers from ARU and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust have piloted a music therapy approach called MELODIC across two dementia wards. This follows the rise of alternative therapies to psychotropic medication to support dementia patients who experience severe distress.
Trained therapists administer music therapy, a comprehensive approach that encompasses singing, playing, or listening to music. These therapists are adept at identifying specific ways that families and carers can incorporate music into an individual’s daily care routine, thereby enhancing the overall care experience.
This study explored how distress is experienced and managed on NHS inpatient mental health wards for people with dementia, and the role that music, including music therapy, can play in this process. Through interviews and focus groups with patients, their families, staff, music therapists, and managers across 17 wards, the researchers found that patients often experience high levels of distress due to their complex health needs.
Improved quality of life for dementia patients
During the study, patient data indicated a slight improvement in quality-of-life scores among patients, along with a reduction in the severity of distress symptoms and disruptiveness; however, agitation scores increased slightly.
There were no increases in routinely reported incidents, and no adverse events related to music therapy interventions were reported. This is relevant for future research on mental health dementia wards, where limited studies have been conducted to date.
“People with dementia on inpatient mental health wards are often experiencing very high levels of distress, and staff are under immense pressure to manage this in ways that are safe and compassionate.
“Our study yielded promising results and importantly showed that the MELODIC tool can be used effectively in these highly complex settings, giving an alternative option to current ways of managing severe distress, such as psychotropic medication,” commented Lead author Naomi Thompson, a researcher at ARU’s Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research.
The approach was shaped by interviews with 49 healthcare professionals, patients, and their families about their experiences managing distress on dementia wards and using music in everyday care and life to inform the development of the intervention.
Significantly, the intervention, which has been co-designed by clinicians, researchers, and individuals with lived experience, costs just £2,025 per month for the therapist and a £400 initial outlay for equipment, suggesting a low-cost, scalable model.
“Some people with dementia can get so confused and distressed that we need to admit them to hospital to keep them safe. It can be challenging to manage distress in a ward environment, and it is hard for patients, families, and staff.
“I am very excited that it may now be possible for NHS staff to improve their experience on dementia wards using the power of music, and we look forward to working with ARU to develop this further,” added Dr Ben Underwood, Research and Development Director and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at CPFT.