Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of caregiver-implemented music applications on engagement with their care receivers. Eight couples participated individually in a series of sessions, where a music therapist trained and cued the caregivers to implement a music application of choice. Changes in engagement frequency over a series of five sessions was highly statistically significant. The authors conclude that music therapy applications are effective in increasing mutual engagement in caregiving and care receiving couples with dementia, and that caregivers can effectively facilitate the engagement using music. Furthermore, once the engagement is established, it carries over into visitation without music.
Keywords: caregivers, dementia, music therapy, spousal caregivers
Full Text
The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (86.0 KB).
References
- Clair AA: Alert responses to singing stimuli in institutionalized persons with late stage dementia. Journal of Music Therapy. 1996; 33: 234-247. [Google Scholar]
- Clair AA, Bernstein B: A comparison of singing, vibrotactile and nonvibrotactile instrumental playing responses in severely regressed persons with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Journal of Music Therapy. 1990; 27: 119-125. [Google Scholar]
- Clair AA, Bernstein B: A preliminary study of music therapy programming for severely regressed persons with Alzheimer's type dementia. Journal of Applied Gerontology.1990; 9: 299-311. [Google Scholar]
- Clair AA, Bernstein B, Johnson G: Rhythmic characteristics in persons diagnosed with dementia, including those with probably Alzheimer's type. Journal of Music Therapy.1995; 32: 113-131. [Google Scholar]
- Mathews M, Clair AA, Kosloski K: Brief in-service training in music therapy for activity aides: Increasing engagement in persons with dementia in rhythm activities. Activities, Adaptations, and Aging. 2000; 24: 41-49. [Google Scholar]
- Olderog-Millard KAO, Smith JM: The influence of group singing therapy on the behavior of Alzheimer's disease patients. Journal of Music Therapy.1989; 26: 58-70. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mathews M, Clair AA, Kosloski K: Keeping the beat: Use of rhythmic music during exercise activities for the elderly with dementia. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias.2001; 16: 377-380. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Brotons J, Prickett-Cooper P: The effect of music therapy intervention on agitation behaviors of Alzheimer's disease patients. Journal of Music Therapy.1996; 22: 2-18. [Google Scholar]
- Gerdner LA, Swanson EA: The effects of individualized music on confused and agitated elderly patients. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing.1993; 7: 284-291. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Goddaer J, Abraham I: Effects of relaxing music on agitation during meals among nursing home residents with severe cognitive impairment. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing.1994; 8: 150-158. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Tabloski P, McKinnon-Howe L, Remington R: Effects of calming music on the level of agitation in cognitively impaired nursing home residents. American Journal of Alzheimer's Care & Related Disorders & Research.1995; 10(1): 10-15. [Google Scholar]
- Fitzgerald-Cloutier ML: The use of music therapy to decrease wandering: An alternative to restraints. Music Therapy Perspectives.1993; 11: 32-36. [Google Scholar]
- Groene RW: Effectiveness of music therapy 1:1 intervention with individuals having senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Journal of Music Therapy.1993; 30: 138-157. [Google Scholar]
- Clair AA, Ebberts AG: The effects of music therapy on interactions between family caregivers and their care receivers with late stage dementia. Journal of Music Therapy.1997; 34: 148-164. [Google Scholar]
- Clair AA, Tebb S, Bernstein B: The effects of a socialization and music therapy intervention on self-esteem and loneliness in spouse caregivers of those diagnosed with dementia of the Alzheimer's type: A pilot study. American Journal of Alzheimer's Care & Related Disorders & Research.1993; 8(1): 24-32. [Google Scholar]
- Pollack NJ, Namazi, KH: The effect of music participation on the social behavior of Alzheimer's disease patients. Journal of Music Therapy.1992; 29: 54-67. [Google Scholar]
- Horowitz A, Shindelman LW: Reciprocity and affection: Past influences on current caregiving. Journal of Gerontological Social Work. 1983; 5: 5-20. [Google Scholar]
- Donaldson C, Tarrier N, Burns A: The impact of the symptoms of dementia on caregivers. British Journal of Psychiatry.1997; 170: 62-68. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Boss P, Caron W, Horbal J, Mortimer J: Predictors of depression in caregivers of dementia patients: boundary ambiguity and mastery. Family Process.1990; 29: 245-254. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Gwyther LP: Letting go: Separation-individuation in a wife of an Alzheimer's patient. Gerontologist.1990; 30: 698-702. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Pearlin LI, Mullan JT, Semple SJ, Skaff MM: Caregiving and the stress process: An overview of concepts and measures. The Gerontologist.1990; 30: 583-594. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wright LK: The impact of Alzheimer's disease on the marital relationship. The Gerontologist.1991; 31: 224-237. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Bauer MJ, Maddox MK, Kirk LN, et al.: Progressive dementia: Personal and relational impact on caregiving wives. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias.2001; 16(5): 329-334. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Braithwaite V: Contextual or general stress outcomes: Making choices through caregiving appraisals. The Gerontologist. 2000; 40: 706-717. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]