Running Head: Music Therapy and Its Effect On Dementia 1: April 11, 2021

Running head: Music Therapy and Its Effect on Dementia 1
Music Therapy and Its Effect on Dementia
Ashely Murphy
James Madison University
NSG 464: Introduction to Nursing Research
April 11, 2021

Abstract:
This paper reviews quantitative and qualitative evidenced based practice research on the
impact of music therapy has on agitation in older adults with dementia. Six research studies of
pilot studies, randomized controlled trials, were reviewed to answer the pico research question.
In people with dementia, what is the effect of nonpharmacological intervention such as music
therapy on agitation? The goal of this paper is to examine these evidenced-based research
studies to determine if music therapy has an effect on agitation in older patient with dementia
through a literacy review. The paper also looks at three main themes and implications for current
nursing practices in the six research studies.

Dementia is a growing clinical condition marked by severe cognitive dysfunction and
related physical disability, affecting almost 50 million people worldwide. (Holden et al., 2019).
Dementia impairs a person's cognitive and psychological abilities, such as memory, judgment,
vocabulary, and social skills. People with dementia, which are often are older adults, may feel
agitated caused by numerous reasons such as changes in environment or schedule, heightened
external stimulation, or anxiety as a result of attempting to make sense of the world around them
(Thornley, 2016). However, studies have shown that when nurses use music therapy as an
intervention, it can help patients with dementia relieve feelings of agitation. The goal of this
paper is to examine these evidenced- based research studies to answer the question, in people
with dementia, what is the effect of nonpharmacological interventions such as music therapy on
agitation? This will be done by analyzing relevant research studies and their findings on this
topic.
So, what is music therapy? Music therapy is a well-known wellness profession where
music is used in a therapeutic environment to meet individuals' physical, mental, cognitive, and
social needs (Lyu, 2018). According to Holden et al. (2019), treatment for dementia patients
involves a combination of pharmacological intervention and nonpharmacological interventions.
Although pharmacological interventions can reduce dementia related symptoms,
nonpharmacological interventions such as music therapy can provided emotional comfort to
clients by allowing them to express and soothe their feelings.
It can be difficult to stay involved in enjoyable and interesting things for those who are
diagnosed with dementia. In a randomized control trial study Pongan (2017) interviewed 59
patients with dementia who participated in musical therapy and concluded that patients that were
involved with music therapy whether through listening, singing, or playing an instrument were
shown to have less stress and anxiety post-intervention. Thus, reducing agitation in the
participants. Another study was a pilot randomized control in which only 16 participants were
screened after they went to a music therapy group for four weeks (Maseda, 2018). The screening
results showed similar outcome in which participants mood had improved when music therapy
was incorporated into their plan of care.
Three main themes were found within these studies. The first theme was improved mood
for the participants within these studies. Patients exposed to music therapy were happy and more
content compared to those who did not receive music therapy (Thornley, 2016). Another theme
was that the participants had mild to moderate dementia. None of the patients were in the late
stages of dementia. Had there been patients with late stages of dementia participating in these
studies, perhaps the outcome may have been different in terms of the effective music therapy had
on agitation. Lastly, all participants were in a long-term care facility such as a nursing home or
on a unit within a hospital. Being in a different environment than what the patient is used to
could cause more agitation in patients with dementia (Holden et al., 2019). However, the results
remained the same. Participants were less agitated after the intervention was initiated.
In conclusion, music therapy has a huge impact on agitation in dementia patients. This is
because it allows people to remember or evoke memories, experiences, and emotions. Music
therapy encourages constructive behavior and improved coping abilities in dementia patients.
This therapeutic intervention along with pharmacological interventions can reduce patients’
agitation levels. However, more clinical trials that will focus on designing standardized protocols
based on the type or stage of dementia a patient has are needed, so that they can be used in
conjunction with existing therapies. Such as the length of time patients were exposed to the
intervention, types of music used, and what type of involvement did the participants participated
in. Future studies should develop a theoretical framework in order to avoid inconsistency in
applying the intervention.

References:
Holden, S. K., Sheffler, J., Stewart, R., Thompson, S., Persson, J., Finseth, T., Sillau, S.,
& Kluger, B. M. (2019). Feasibility of Home-Based Neurologic Music Therapy for
Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: A Pilot Study. Journal of Music
Therapy, 56(3), 265–286. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/thz009
Lyu, J. (2018). The Effects of Music Therapy on Cognition, Psychiatric Symptoms, and
Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease. Journal of
Alzheimer’s Disease., 64(4), 1347–1358. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-180183
Maseda, A. (2018). Multisensory Stimulation and Individualized Music Sessions
on Older Adults with Severe Dementia: Effects on Mood, Behavior, and
Biomedical Parameters. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease., 63(4), 1415–1425.
https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-180109
Moir, A. R., Cassidy-Nolan, D., Gough, A. S., & Cassidy, K.-L. (2019). Music Therapy
in Long-Term Care: Impact on Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
and Facility Milieu. Canadian Journal of Music Therapy, 25, 50–59.
https://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=7&sid=d20438ad-9cb8-
469c-9f24-253aaa66d952%40sdc-v-sessmgr02
Pongan, E. (2017). Can Musical or Painting Interventions Improve Chronic Pain, Mood,
Quality of Life, and Cognition in Patients with Mild Alzheimer’s Disease? Evidence
from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease., 60(2), 663–677.
https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-170410
Thornley, J. (2016). Music therapy in patients with dementia and behavioral disturbance
on an inpatient psychiatry unit: results from a pilot randomized controlled study.
International Psychogeriatrics., 28(5), 869–871.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610215001866

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Running head: Music Therapy and Its Effect on Dementia 1

Music Therapy and Its Effect on Dementia

James Madison University

NSG 464: Introduction to Nursing Research

April 11, 2021

nursing practices in the six research studies.

Dementia is a growing clinical condition marked by severe cognitive dysfunction and

agitated caused by numerous reasons such as changes in environment or schedule, heightened

involves a combination of pharmacological intervention and nonpharmacological interventions.

Although pharmacological interventions can reduce dementia related symptoms,

nonpharmacological interventions such as music therapy can provided emotional comfort to

clients by allowing them to express and soothe their feelings.

was incorporated into their plan of care.

applying the intervention.

& Kluger, B. M. (2019). Feasibility of Home-Based Neurologic Music Therapy for

Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: A Pilot Study. Journal of Music

Therapy, 56(3), 265–286. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/thz009

Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease. Journal of

Alzheimer’s Disease., 64(4), 1347–1358. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-180183

Maseda, A. (2018). Multisensory Stimulation and Individualized Music Sessions

on Older Adults with Severe Dementia: Effects on Mood, Behavior, and

Biomedical Parameters. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease., 63(4), 1415–1425.

in Long-Term Care: Impact on Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

and Facility Milieu. Canadian Journal of Music Therapy, 25, 50–59.

from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease., 60(2), 663–677.

on an inpatient psychiatry unit: results from a pilot randomized controlled study.

International Psychogeriatrics., 28(5), 869–871.

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