Music therapy for the treatment of agitation in patients with dementia

Purpose: This project therefore studied the effectiveness of music therapy as an intervention specifically for treating agitation in patients with dementia who resided in a long-term care facility. In addition, the effectiveness of music therapy using interactive forms wherein residents are invited to actively participate by singing and clapping hands along with the music, as active method of curbing agitation and uncooperative behavior. Methodology: The music therapy intervention session took place in the recreational room. The duration of the music therapy intervention was thirty-minutes per session twice a week for a period of six weeks. Sixteen participants took part in the music therapy session. Participants’ agitation was assessed with the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) three days before the music therapy session, every two weeks during the music therapy session, and two days after the music therapy session ends. Results: The highest mean score indicated an increase in participants’ behavioral symptoms and the lowest mean score indicated a decrease in participants’ behavioral symptoms. Significant aggressive behavior was noted from pre-test (M = 61.12) with a decrease score during test (M = 54.19), (M = 49.88) and posttest (M = 42.88). A one-way repeated measured analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to analyze the effect of music therapy to reduce the rate of aggressive behaviors. The results of the ANOVA indicated a significant time effect, (Wilks’ Lambda = .03, F (3,13) = 169.6, p <.01, n2 = .98). Conclusion: It was statistically significant that the rate of aggressive incidents was decreased. The result of the music therapy for the treatment of agitation in patients with dementia contained evidence-based practice that promoted changes in clinical practice, healthcare policy, quality & safety, education, and economics.DNPIncludes bibliographical reference