Managing agitated behaviour in people with Alzheimer's disease: the role of live music

Cox, Elissa, Nowak, Madeleine, and Buettner, Petra (2011) Managing agitated behaviour in people with Alzheimer's disease: the role of live music. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74 (11). pp. 517-524.

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Abstract

Background: Agitation due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents a challenge to occupational therapists working in the older people care sector. Recently, background music and music therapy have emerged as promising tools in the management of agitation in AD. This exploratory study investigated whether live music could reduce agitated behaviour in people with AD.

Method: A quasi-experimental one-group repeated measures design investigated the effect of a live, one-to-one, musical violin intervention on agitated behaviour in people with moderate-severe AD in a residential care facility. Seven participants received the musical intervention on three occasions. Participants were video recorded before, during and after each session. Behaviour was assessed by the investigator and a blinded assessor, using an investigator-modified Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory. Thirty agitated behaviours were examined. Data were analysed using the Friedman test.

Results: This intervention reduced agitated behaviour among participants. Significant reductions in pacing/aimless wandering (p = 0.023), performing repetitious mannerisms (p = 0.036) and general restlessness (p = 0.007) were observed. The total number of agitated behaviours decreased significantly (median 5 [range 2-8] behaviours before the intervention to 1 [range 0-4] during and 1 [range 0-5] after the intervention [p = 0.005]).

Conclusion: Live music may be an effective strategy to reduce short-term agitated behaviour among people with AD.

Item ID: 20014
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1477-6006
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; live music; agitated behaviour; residential care; occupational therapy
Date Deposited: 05 Mar 2012 06:58
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920499 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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