Dementia, Alzheimer Disease (AD), Depression Chronic, Caregiver Burden of People With Dementia, Cognitive Impairments
Conditions
Keywords
Music Therapy, Dementia, Depression, Alzheimer's Disease, Caregiver Burden, Receptive Music Intervention
Brief summary
This single-site interventional study evaluated the effects of receptive live music therapy on depression in patients with dementia and caregiver burden at the AMAVIDA Memory Care Unit in Fort Myers, Florida. Over two weeks, participants attended six 30-minute live piano performances using a fixed setlist delivered one hour before dinner. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) for patients and the Caregiver Burden Scale in End-of-Life Care (CBS-EOLC) for staff caregivers. Data were analyzed using paired-sample t-tests to compare depression and burden scores before and after the music intervention.
Detailed description
This exploratory study was designed to assess the feasibility and therapeutic potential of receptive live music as a non-pharmacological intervention for older adults with dementia and their caregivers in a residential memory care setting. The intervention involved structured, live piano performances using a fixed repertoire and delivery schedule to maintain consistency across sessions. Participants were recruited from a licensed memory care unit within a retirement community at Amavida in Fort Myers Florida and included both residents diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias and their long-term caregivers. Eligible residents underwent cognitive screening using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to ensure the ability to engage meaningfully with the intervention. Pre- and post-intervention assessments focused on psychological well-being, specifically depression and caregiver burden. Validated scales-the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Caregiver Burden Scale in End-of-Life Care (CBS-EOLC)-were administered to quantify changes in mental health outcomes. Music sessions occurred in a communal space and were integrated into the facility's daily schedule one hour prior to dinner. Caregivers remained present but unobtrusive during performances to minimize interference. Data were collected confidentially, and participants were informed of their right to withdraw at any time. The study emphasized ecological validity by embedding the intervention in a real-world care environment without modifying existing pharmacological treatment plans. Findings were analyzed using standard statistical methods to determine within-subject change.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALReceptive Music Therapy
Participants received six 30-minute sessions of receptive music therapy delivered by live solo piano performance over two weeks. The same playlist was performed in a fixed order at each session, held one hour before dinner. The intervention was designed to reduce depressive symptoms in dementia patients and alleviate caregiver burden using a structured, low-cost, non-pharmacological approach.
Sponsors
Stanford University
Florida SouthWestern State College
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
25 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Resident participants must be aged 60 or older. * Residents must have a documented diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. * Residents must have completed a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) with a score of ≥17. * Caregiver participants must be aged 25 or older. * Caregivers must have at least one year of experience working in the memory care unit.
Exclusion criteria
* Residents with MMSE scores \<17 indicating severe cognitive impairment. * Residents unable to provide coherent verbal responses. * Participants (residents or caregivers) who decline to provide informed consent.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) Score Among Residents | Within 2 weeks (pre- and post-intervention) | The Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form, 15 items) was administered to residents diagnosed with dementia before and after a two-week receptive music therapy intervention. Scores range from 0 to 15, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptoms. The primary outcome is the change in GDS score from pre- to post-intervention. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Caregiver Burden Scale in End-of-Life Care (CBS-EOLC) Score | Within 2 weeks (pre- and post-intervention) | The Caregiver Burden Scale in End-of-Life Care (CBS-EOLC) is a validated 16-item self-report questionnaire that measures physical, emotional, and logistical strain experienced by caregivers. Scores range from 16 to 64, with higher scores indicating greater perceived burden. The secondary outcome is the change in caregiver burden scores from before to after the two-week music therapy intervention. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed