Music Therapy for Dementia - Research Study

Hilda Dimalibot

Purpose of the Study

1. Research question

What is the level of knowledge for the benefits of music therapy on the residents with dementia among healthcare assistants in Chadderton Rest Home?

2. Purpose of the project

The main purpose of this research project is to determine the level of knowledge for the benefits of music therapy on the residents with dementia among the healthcare assistants of Chadderton Rest Home. Additionally, this study will be beneficial to the stakeholders because through this research, the respondent can gain insights and understanding of music therapy for the well-being of the residents with dementia.

3. Significance of the project

The research study is significant because it emphasizes the importance of music in the daily lives of an individual. Whilst, the general public becomes more aware of different therapeutic method, a number of individuals shift and seek the natural method. Music can promote relaxation, motivation, and some people used it as non-evasive and cost effective therapy particularly to the people affected by dementia.

The study will also serve as a way to promote better care for the residents with dementia because the respondents are going to be equipped with knowledge on the benefits of music therapy.

4. Research literature review

Dementia is when a person experience a gradual loss of the brain function due to the physical changes in the structure of the brain. This illness is not a part of ageing process however, it is more common over the age of sixty-five (65) and can affect people as young as 45. There are various causes of dementia but the most common is Alzheimers disease. A person with dementia can have different combination of the causes of illness but each cause tends to affect the persons behaviour because of the particular changes in the areas of the brain.  (Ministry of Health, 2015).

Dementia is a clinical syndrome with a number of different causes characterised by deterioration in cognitive function. There was various research of promising findings for dementia treatment. Different pharmacological interventions have been offered but have limited ability to treat many of the featured condition (Vink, Bruinsma, & Scholten, 2003).

In New Zealand, majority of the population who had dementia is female with a total number of 87,145 or fifty-nine per cent (59%) compared to 60,218 or forty-one per cent (41%) of New Zealand male population. It is estimated that the incidence of dementia will be more than triple by the year 2050 (Alzheimer’s New Zealand, 2012).

According to the study of the Vink, Bruinsma, & Scholten, 2003, concerning the use of music and music therapy in context of dementia and related issues, the consistent with the efficacy of music therapy approach and the ability of the music therapist to interact with the patients appears crucial for the success of intervention.

A study published in Journal of Music Therapy, suggest that music therapy interventions has a positive influence the fluency and speech content of the people affected by dementia of Alzheimer’s type. Therapeutic implications include the preservation and enhancement of communication between the patients, their carers, family/whanau members are profound. Music Therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful for the residents who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Most research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as increasing peoples’ motivation to become engage in the treatment, providing an outlet for expression of feelings and providing emotional support for the people affected by dementia and their families (Music Therapy New Zealand, 2011).

References

Alzheimer’s New Zealand. (2012). Updated Dementia Economic Impact Report. Retrieved from Updated Dementia Economic Impact Report, New Zealand, 2011: http://www.alzheimers.org.nz/getmedia/557692aa-2ccd-4f38-8fdc-db440706fd05/Updated_Dementia_Economic_Impact_Report_2012_New_Zealand.pdf.aspx

Italian Psychogeriatric Association. (2012). Music, music therapy and dementia: A Review of Literature and the Recommendations of the Italian Psychogeriatric Association. Maturitas: The European Medical Journal, 305-310. Retrieved from Maturitas: http://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(12)00200-9/abstract

Ministry of Health. (2015). Dementia. Retrieved from Ministry of Health: http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/mental-health/dementia

Music Therapy New Zealand. (2011). The New Zealand Journal of Music Therapy. Retrieved from Music Therapy New Zealand: http://www.musictherapy.org.nz/journal/

Vink, A. C., Bruinsma, M. S., & Scholten, R. (2003). Music Therapy for People with Dementia. Retrieved from Cochrane Benefits of Systematic Review: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003477.pub2/full

5. Details of the methodology that going to be used

Quantitative methodology is going to be utilized in this research project. There are fifteen (15) structured questionnaire that can be answered true or false by the respondents for the benefits of music therapy among the residents with dementia.

6. How the research is going to be disseminated to the participants and NZCDI?

This research paper is going to be distributed through hard copy. Each respondent has their structured questionnaire that can be answered by true or false.

7. How the research will be going to be disseminated to the relevant stakeholders?

This research paper is going to be disseminated through hard copy. There is a written consent to the manager and stakeholders. The participation of the respondents is voluntary. Each respondent has their structured questionnaire that can be answered by true or false.

8. Where will the research project going to take place?

The project will be based on Chadderton Rest Home in 28 Alpers avenue, Epsom. The rest home has twenty (23) bed capacity and serves the rest of Auckland community with different ethnicities. Currently the organization has twenty (20) residents, two (2) registered nurse, seven (7) healthcare assistants, one (1) diversional therapist and two (2) kitchenhand.

9. How long will be the participants be involved in the study?

The respondents will take 10- 15 minutes in answering the structured question

10. Who will analyse the result and conclusion of the study?

The researcher will analyse the data gathered from the respondents guided by the methodologies employed in the study. The research design will be quantitative method represented by structured questionnaire

11. How the data and result will be analysed?

The data will be analysed based on the answer of the respondent from the questionnaire survey form.

12. Discuss who will benefit the research.

The researcher as well as the respondent will gain new insights and understanding about the benefit of music therapy for the patient with dementia. Moreover, the respondent can provide a better care for the residents if they are aware of the benefits of the study.

3. Personnel and Qualification

The researcher has the sole responsibility of the study, starting from the design and conducting research. Moreover, the researcher will also be responsible in gathering and analyzing the data and the results gathered is authentic as well as the interpretation and protection of the data that exist as a result of the study. The researcher will also ensure that there will be no harm at any time for the facility and the respondents.

4. Budget