Assessing Wellbeing in People Living with Dementia Using Reminiscence Music with a Mobile App (Memory Tracks): A...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Music Therapy

Background:

• Dementia prevalence is increasing, straining care resources.
• Non-pharmacological interventions are crucial for improving dementia patient and caregiver well-being.
• Music therapy shows promise for dementia symptom management, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of a musical mobile app in promoting song-task association in individuals with dementia.
• To assess the impact of the app on residents' quality of life and care staff roles.
• To explore the potential of technology-assisted music interventions in dementia care.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods cohort study involving 14 participants in UK care homes.
• Daily quantitative measurements using the Self-Assessment Manikin and Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD) scales.
• Semistructured interviews with care home staff to gather qualitative insights.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were observed in the quantitative measures across the analyzed responses.
• Qualitative data indicated positive changes in resident behavior, abilities, and daily routines attributed to app usage.
• Care staff reported perceived benefits of the app on resident engagement and well-being.

Conclusions:

• While quantitative results were inconclusive, qualitative findings suggest the musical mobile app positively influenced the daily lives of people with dementia.
• The study supports the potential of musical interventions, particularly app-based approaches, in dementia care.
• Further research is warranted to refine music-based digital tools and validate their impact on dementia symptoms and quality of life.