THE EFFECTS OF GROUP SINGING ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND AFFECT OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

The prevalence of dementia, a progressive and degenerative syndrome, increases dramatically with age (Alzheimer’s Disease International, n.d.), and it is critical to develop effective strategies and evidence-based interventions to improve the quality of life for persons with dementia (Crespo, Hornillos, & De Quirós, 2013; Vink, Birks, Bruinsma, & Scholten, 2004). Music therapy has drawn attention as a promising non-pharmacological approach for individuals with dementia (Brotons, 2000; Vink et al., 2004). A variety of music interventions have been widely applied for dementia care not only by music therapists, but also by other healthcare professionals. Among those interventions, singing and listening are utilized most frequently. The purpose of the current study was to compare the short-term effects of two music interventions, including a music therapy-singing group and a music medicine-listening group, as well as a control-TV group, on quality of life and positive and negative affect of persons with dementia at a long-term care facility. Fifty-two participants, ranging in age from 63 to 99 years, were randomly assigned to one of three groups, and thirty-seven completed the interventions. The participants in each group were engaged for a 40-minute session twice a week for four consecutive weeks. The music therapy-singing group was facilitated by a music therapist, whereas the music medicine-listening and the control-TV group were led by nursing home activity assistants. Quality of life was measured at baseline and after the last session. Only the MT-singing group demonstrated significant improvements when compared to the other groups. Positive and negative affect were measured at three points, including pre and post the first, fourth and eighth sessions. Only the MT-singing group increased positive affect scores and decreased negative affect scores significantly. Based on the findings of the current study, music therapy involving singing may be beneficial in improving quality of life and affect in persons with dementia at long-term care facilities.