Effect of a Group Music Nursing Intervention on Anxiety Among Individuals with Mild to Moderate Dementia in Los Angeles Assisted Living Facilities

This study tested the hypothesis that an active-passive group music intervention will decrease anxiety among individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia in assisted living facilities (ALFs) as compared to a control group engaged in care as usual. This study also described the feasibility and acceptability of active-passive group music interventions delivered by a Registered Nurse (RN) without a university or college degree in music intervention techniques to individuals with mild to moderate dementia in an ALF. The study used a quasi-experimental cross-over design with a simplified cluster randomization strategy; simplified because there were only two sites. Thirteen participants were invited, 8 from one facility and 5 from the other. The sample comprised of participants ranging from age 74 thru 98 with Global Deterioration Stages ranging from 2-5. The majority of participants were female, White and were college educated. Music was considered moderately important to very important. Music was used to effect anxiety levels. Altogether 12 intervention sessions were offered or 6 for each arm. There was a 4 week wash-out period. Four RAID measures were taken during each arm at baseline. Specific Aim 1: Insignificant decreases to anxiety existed by group, however, a trend showing decreases to anxiety levels existed over time (p=0.002): Intervention Group 1 = 18.00 at point 1 to 14.83 at point 4; Intervention Group 2 = 17.20 at point 1 to 10.80 at point 4. During control periods, RAID were: Group 1= 13.33 at point 1 to 10.83 at point 4; and Group 2 = 13.60 at point 1 to 10.40 at point 4. Specific Aim 2: With music education, the use of RNs to deliver group music interventions and supervise music interventions in healthcare is promising