Live Music Promotes Positive Behaviours in People with Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Behavioural symptoms of Alzheimer's disease present barriers to providing a holistic standard of care. Limited attention has been given to the potential effects of live music, rather than background music or music therapy, on mood, function, and participation in and performance of daily activities. This exploratory study investigated whether live music could facilitate the expression of positive behaviour in people with Alzheimer's disease. Method: A live musical violin intervention, provided on a one-to-one basis in a residential care facility, was employed to assess positive behaviour in people with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease using a one-group repeated measures design. Seven participants were video-recorded before, during, and after the intervention, which was provided individually in three separate sessions. The investigator and a blinded assessor used an investigator-modified version of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory to assess 16 positive behaviours. Quotations from study participants are presented. Data were analysed using the Friedman test. Results: The total number of positive behaviours increased significantly from a median number of 4.3 (range 1.3–13) before the intervention to 30 (range 13–47.7) during, and 24.3 (range 4–27.7) after the intervention (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Live individualized music may provide occupational therapists with a useful strategy to enrich the lives of people with Alzheimer's disease.