A controlled naturalistic study on a weekly music therapy and activity program on disruptive and depressive behaviors in dementia.
OBJECTIVE
This study explores the effects of a weekly structured music therapy and activity program (MAP) on behavioral and depressive symptoms in persons with dementia (PWD) in a naturalistic setting.


METHODS
PWD attended a weekly group MAP conducted by a qualified music therapist and occupational therapist for 8 weeks. Two validated scales, the Apparent Emotion Scale (AES) and the Revised Memory and Behavioral Problems Checklist (RMBPC), were used to measure change in outcomes of mood and behavior.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight subjects completed the intervention, while 15 wait-list subjects served as controls. Baseline AES and RMBPC scores were not significantly different between the intervention and control groups. After intervention, RMBPC scores improved significantly (p = 0.006) with 95% CI of the difference between the mean intervention and control group scores compared to baseline at -62.1 to -11.20. Total RMBPC scores in the intervention group improved from 75.3 to 54.5, but worsened in the control group, increasing from 62.3 to 78.6. AES scores showed a nonsignificant trend towards improvement in the intervention group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that a weekly MAP can ameliorate behavioral and depressive symptoms in PWD.
Rehabilitation Department, Occupational Therapy, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Alexandra Health Singapore, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore.
Peimin
P
Han
Melanie
M
Kwan
Denise
D
Chen
Siti Zubaidah
SZ
Yusoff
Hui Ling
HL
Chionh
Jenny
J
Goh
Philip
P
Yap
D000368:Aged; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009147:Music Therapy; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012846:Singapore; D016896:Treatment Outcome