Preferred Music Listening Intervention in Nursing Home Residents with Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Intervention...

The current trend in addressing symptoms of dementia comprises non-pharmacological strategies such as music interventions for the management and improvement of cognitive function, memory, agitation, depression, or anxiety.

To determine the impact of a preferred music listening group intervention upon the functional, cognitive, and emotional dimensions in nursing home residents.

A randomized intervention study was carried out. The study was conducted from June to August 2015, and involved a preferred music listening group intervention lasting 60 minutes, 5 days/week during 8 weeks. A total of 119 adults aged ≥65 years, with annual permanent residence in the nursing home (Málaga, Spain) were included in the study. 47 (39.5%) subjects were randomized to the music group intervention. The nurses and physiotherapists were blinded to the assessments.

The sample had a mean age of 80.52 (SD7.44) years, with female predominance. The subjects presented dependency in Barthel, and cognitive impairment as determined by the MMSE. The Tinetti scores yielded fall risk and depression as evidenced by the Yesavage scale. The Cornell scores evidenced no depression in elderly people with dementia. Following the intervention, function improved significantly with a medium effect size, as did emotional state, with a large effect size. Cognitive function was seen to worsen in the control group, but remained stable in the intervention group, with a large effect size.

A preferred music listening group intervention among elderly people in nursing homes is effective, resulting in improvements in functional and emotional condition.