An exploration of individualized music on levels of agitation in people with dementia in a specialist mental health setting: a mixed method approach
type: CreativeWork
description: Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of individualised music on levels of agitation for people with moderate to severe dementia being cared for in a specialist mental health hospital setting; additionally the experiences of family carers and healthcare professionals were explored. Background: The therapeutic use of music in healthcare has significantly grown in popularity. Recently there has been an increase in the use of individualised music in the care of people with dementia to reduce levels of agitation. No studies have explored the use of individualised music in specialist mental health hospital settings for people with moderate to severe dementia. Design: The design of the research study utilised a mixed methods approach. A single case experimental reversal design was employed to explore the effect of individualised music on levels of agitation in people with dementia. The other elements of the study used a qualitative approach to explore the experience of using individualised music from the perspective of healthcare professionals and family carers. Methods: Five participants with moderate to severe dementia were recruited. During intervention weeks the individualised music was administered daily. Agitation levels were measured daily using the Agitated Behaviour Scale and weekly using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory. Five healthcare professionals and four family carers were interviewed. Results: There was a mixed response in the therapeutic value of the individualised music. Some participants displayed a positive behavioural reaction to the music in terms of agitation levels, engagement and enjoyment of the music. However this was not consistent across the repeated administrations of the intervention and across all participants. Healthcare professional and family carer interviews provided positive feedback on the use of individualised music. Conclusions: Individualised music was found to have a mixed response in relation to reducing lev…
abstract: Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of individualised music on levels of agitation for people with moderate to severe dementia being cared for in a specialist mental health hospital setting; additionally the experiences of family carers and healthcare professionals were explored. Background: The therapeutic use of music in healthcare has significantly grown in popularity. Recently there has been an increase in the use of individualised music in the care of people with dementia to reduce levels of agitation. No studies have explored the use of individualised music in specialist mental health hospital settings for people with moderate to severe dementia. Design: The design of the research study utilised a mixed methods approach. A single case experimental reversal design was employed to explore the effect of individualised music on levels of agitation in people with dementia. The other elements of the study used a qualitative approach to explore the experience of using individualised music from the perspective of healthcare professionals and family carers. Methods: Five participants with moderate to severe dementia were recruited. During intervention weeks the individualised music was administered daily. Agitation levels were measured daily using the Agitated Behaviour Scale and weekly using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory. Five healthcare professionals and four family carers were interviewed. Results: There was a mixed response in the therapeutic value of the individualised music. Some participants displayed a positive behavioural reaction to the music in terms of agitation levels, engagement and enjoyment of the music. However this was not consistent across the repeated administrations of the intervention and across all participants. Healthcare professional and family carer interviews provided positive feedback on the use of individualised music. Conclusions: Individualised music was found to have a mixed response in relation to reducing lev…
author: Skinner, Helen
language: eng
keywords: Dementia, Agitation, individualised music
date published: 2018-3
date modified: 2026-07-24T00:50:03Z
provider: Abertay University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Abertay University