Randomized cross-over trial reveals singing reduces caregiver burden while conversation boosts wellbeing in dementia, indicating distinct benefits for musical and verbal activities.
Key Points
To assess the feasibility of a randomized cross-over design that isolates music-specific therapeutic effects from general group activity stimulation in people with dementia and their caregivers.
Conducted a randomized cross-over pilot study with 15 nursing home residents diagnosed with dementia.
Assigned participants to both a singing activity and an identical non-musical conversation activity across five-week intervention periods.
Assessed behavioral symptoms and caregiver burden using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, wellbeing via the QUALID scale, and in-session engagement and affect using the MPES and OERS.
The singing intervention resulted in reduced professional caregiver burden, whereas the conversation intervention improved participant wellbeing.
Neither activity outperformed the other in eliciting observable participant engagement or positive affect during sessions.