Do music therapies reduce depressive symptoms and improve QOL in older adults with chronic disease?

Effect of music therapy on older adults with depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Depression is becoming more prevalent in older adults. Music therapy appears to have a positive effect on older adults with depression, but the effects of specific interventions (such as active music therapy and passive music therapy) are not fully known. This review aims to evaluate the therapeutic effects of music therapy and the effects of specific interventions on older adults with depression.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted from inception to June 2022, and an updated search was conducted in July 2023 on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, VIP, Wanfang Data, CNKI, and CBM. This review solely targeted randomized controlled trials. Two reviewers independently reviewed the retrieved studies. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool 2.0, and statistical analysis was made using the RevMan 5.4 software.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies with a total of 1777 participants were included. Music therapy was beneficial in reducing depression, anxiety, and blood pressure and increasing cognitive ability (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that passive music therapy, single intervention for 60 min, individual intervention format, and total duration of 20 h had a more significant effect on depressive symptoms in older adults.

CONCLUSION

Music therapy reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, improves blood pressure, and enhances cognitive ability in older adults with depression. Further rigorously designed studies are warranted to confirm the effects of music therapy on older adults with depression.

Public Painted Piano Effect on Cognitively Impaired Long Term Care Residents

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of music combined with an artistic design of a painted piano on cognitively impaired residents living in a long-term care memory facility. Design: A qualitative descriptive study design was used to elicit responses from the participants. Method: Residents of the facility were invited to attend sessions, during which familiar songs were played. Residents were invited to touch the piano. A series of five interview sessions were performed over several weeks with each resident (N = 10). Findings: Five themes were identified from data analysis: 1. Is it new? 2. A range of piano memories 3. Play it (again) kid 4. I don't have anything to do up there 5. What is there to do now? Some residents expressed joy with the piano, and some had anxiety. However, all residents stayed for the entirety of the sessions and either participated by singing along, playing, or listening. Conclusions: Public painted piano intervention may have positive benefits for people with cognitive impairment and may be considered as part of a viable holistic care plan for this population of residents in a long-term care setting.

Occupational burnout and stress of nurses in Taiwan regarding COVID-19: An intervention with gong medication

AIMS

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of gong meditation on nurses' perceived stress and occupational burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND

Nurses play an important role in hospitals, and they currently encounter additional stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN AND METHODS

In this experimental study, participants were provided intervention with seven sections of gong meditation, and each session lasted for approximately 50-60 min. Data were collected from July 2020 to February 2021. Eighty nurses were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group, and 79 completed all the processes of our protocol. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used in data analysis.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the experimental group experienced significant improvements in stress and occupational burnout.

CONCLUSIONS

Gong meditation can effectively alleviate stress and occupational burnout among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Gong meditation can be provided by hospital managers to all nurses to reduce their stress, occupational burnout and subsequent mental health problems. Additionally, we suggest that gong meditation can be used as an effective intervention for individuals in other occupational fields, as it is accessible and inexpensive intervention.

Use of Music Therapy as an Audiological Rehabilitation Tool in the Elderly Population: A Mini-Review

It is well known and documented that sensory perception decreases with age. In the elderly population, hearing loss and reduced vestibular function are among the most prevalently affected senses. Two important side effects of sensory deprivation are cognitive decline and decrease in social participation. Hearing loss, vestibular function impairment, and cognitive decline all lead to a decrease in social participation. Altogether, these problems have a great impact on the quality of life of the elderly. This is why a rehabilitation program covering all of these aspects would therefore be useful for clinicians. It is well known that long-term music training can lead to cortical plasticity. Behavioral improvements have been measured for cognitive abilities and sensory modalities (auditory, motor, tactile, and visual) in healthy young adults. Based on these findings, it is possible to wonder if this kind of multisensory training would be an interesting therapy to not only improve communication but also help with posture and balance, cognitive abilities, and social participation. The aim of this review is to assess and validate the impact of music therapy in the context of hearing rehabilitation in older adults. Musical therapy seems to have a positive impact on auditory perception, posture and balance, social integration, and cognition. While the benefits seem obvious, the evidence in the literature is scarce. However, there is no reason not to recommend the use of music therapy as an adjunct to audiological rehabilitation in the elderly when possible. Further investigations are needed to conclude on the extent of the benefits that music therapy could bring to older adults. More data are needed to confirm which hearing abilities can be improved based on the many characteristics of hearing loss. There is also a need to provide a clear protocol for clinicians on how this therapy should be administered to offer the greatest possible benefits.

Quality of Life and Mental Health Status of Japanese Older People Living in Chiang Mai, Thailand

This study aimed to establish the quality of life and mental health status among older Japanese people living in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We conducted a questionnaire survey among Japanese retired people aged 50 years or over who had been living in Thailand. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic variables including health status and ability to communicate in Thai. We measured mental health status using the Japanese version of the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and quality of life using the Japanese version of EuroQOL-5D-3L. We explored the factors associated with poor mental health and quality of life using logistic regression analysis. In total, 96 (89.7%)participants provided complete responses. Overall, quality of life was generally good, although those with one or more chronic diseases reported significantly lower quality of life. Having one or more chronic diseases and being aged 70-79 were significantly associated with poorer mental health. In total, 21 (21.8%) respondents had a possible neurosis, which was defined as a total GHQ-28 score of more than 6. The logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between possible neurosis and the presence of chronic diseases (adjusted odds ratio: 11.7 1). Quality of life among older Japanese people living in Chiang Mai was generally good, but there was a high level of possible neurosis, especially among those with one or more chronic diseases.

"Music Makes My Old Heart Beat": A Randomised Controlled Study on the Benefits of the Use of Music in Comprehensive Care for Institutionalised Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Research on the therapeutic use of music is growing, but the lack of experimental rigour and outcomes diversity has impeded researchers from obtaining clear evidence of the multiple benefits of music interventions in older adults. We explored the outcomes of a music-complemented intervention integrated into the therapeutic activities of institutionalised elderly people.

METHODS

A randomised controlled study with baseline, post-intervention, and 2-week follow-up measures was carried out with 50 residents in a caring institution. Several indicators of physical health, cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, pain, and happiness were assessed at all phases.

RESULTS

Mixed factorial ANOVAs showed a positive impact of the music intervention on the outcomes in the intervention group (effect sizes up to .78) compared to the stability in the control (waiting list) group. Notably, the benefits seemed to be temporary, as they decreased progressively after the discontinuation of the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the effects of a planned music-based intervention on several health- and well-being-related outcomes and has important applications regarding the use of music as a complement in therapeutic interventions with elderly people. The implementation of music therapy within the comprehensive care of institutionalised people must be maintained over time for the effects to be durable.

Testing a Musical Game Activity for Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Leisure programs that combine music with active leisure activities are more common than music combined with passive activities. The latter offers alternatives for older adults with health declines. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effect of an innovative song bingo game on mood, satisfaction, and acceptability in community-residing older adults. The design was quasi-experimental. A convenience sample of 13 older adults (mean age = 74.4; 53.8% female, 38.5% black) were recruited from a community senior center. The intervention was an innovative song bingo program offered one time with staff assistance. A song list was created from age-appropriate music. Measures included a demographic survey, mood scale, and satisfaction and acceptability items. Data analysis was performed to compute descriptive items and compare mean mood scores before and after the program. Before the program, 33.4% of the participants reported their mood as “very happy” or “happy.” Afterwards, 61.5% reported their mood was either “very happy” or “happy.” When comparing the preprogram and postprogram mean mood scores, mean values increased from 5.0 (standard deviation [ SD] = 1.0) to 5.7 ( SD = 1.4), although the difference was not statistically significant ( t = −1.8, p = .09). Overall participants were satisfied and would play again. This program was cost-effective and improved mood in community-dwelling older adults. Replicating this study in a larger sample and different settings is recommended.

Positive physical and mental outcomes for residents in nursing facilities using music: a systematic review

Objectives

The objective of this study was to investigate the applicability and effectiveness of the use of music in providing for positive physical and mental outcomes in nursing facilities.

Problem

Lack of quality of life (QOL) has been a significant issue within nursing facilities. With the rise in census due to Baby Boomers, it has become imperative to find ways to increase overall QOL.

Methods

The research team participants conducted a literature review via Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed (MEDLINE), and Academic Search Ultimate to collect data regarding the use of music to provide for positive physical and mental outcomes in nursing facilities.

Results

The most common facilitator mentioned was increased socialization or communication (18%), followed by reduced depression (12%), improved physical health (11%), and reduced agitation or behavior problems (9%). The most common barriers were as follows: cannot isolate effects of music (26%), cost prohibitive (11%), difficult to implement (11%), and no significant improvements in QOL or well-being (11%).

Conclusion

The use of music showed positive outcomes for residents in nursing facilities and should be considered for implementation as part of the normal culture within such facilities.

Creative Arts Interventions to Address Depression in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Outcomes, Processes, and Mechanisms

Depression experienced by older adults is proving an increasing global health burden, with rates generally 7% and as high as 27% in the USA. This is likely to significantly increase in coming years as the number and proportion of older adults in the population rises all around the world. Therefore, it is imperative that the effectiveness of approaches to the prevention and treatment of depression are understood. Creative arts interventions, including art, dance movement, drama, and music modalities, are utilized internationally to target depression and depressive symptoms in older adults. This includes interventions led by trained arts therapists as well as other health and arts professionals. However, to date there has not been a systematic review that reports effects and examines the processes (why) and mechanisms (how) of creative arts interventions are used to address depression in this older age group. This systematic review of studies on creative arts interventions for older adults experiencing depression examined: outcomes of four creative arts modalities (art, dance movement, drama, and music); with particular attention paid to processes documented as contributing to change in each modality; and mechanisms considered to result from these processes. Our analysis of 75 articles (17 art, 13 dance, 4 drama, and 41 music) indicates mostly significant quantitative or positive qualitative findings, particularly for interventions led by creative arts therapists. Mechanisms of change gleaned from the studies that were common across modalities include physical (e.g., increased muscle strength; neurochemical effects, such as endorphin release), intra-personal (e.g., enhanced self-concept, strengthened agency and mastery; processing and communication of emotions), cultural (e.g., creative expression, aesthetic pleasure), cognitive (e.g., stimulation of memory), and social (e.g., increased social skills and connection), that were all considered to contribute to reduced depression and symptoms. Recommendations for future research includes stronger focus on testing of processes and mechanisms.

Music Intervention as a Tool in Improving Patient Experience in Palliative Care

Background:

The pain, anxiety, and stress associated with end-of-life care are paramount issues to address for both patients and their families. Reduction in these factors could translate to improved quality of life.

Objective:

We studied the effect of adding music to standard care for patients receiving a hospice or palliative care consult at 2 hospitals in the Care New England health-care system. In this mixed quantitative and qualitative study, we implemented live music intervention sessions.

Design/Measurements:

Outcomes include symptom burden pre- and post-intervention using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, opioid use in equivalent time periods before and after the music intervention, and qualitative personal narratives of patients’ and families’ experiences with the music.

Results:

There were significant decreases in pain, anxiety, nausea, shortness of breath, and feelings of depression along with significant increase in feelings of well-being. Opioid use in time periods after the music intervention trended toward decreased usage when compared to the equivalent time period before. Finally, compiled personal narratives of patients’ and families’ experiences of the music intervention demonstrated common themes of spirituality, comfort, relaxation, escape, and reflection.

Conclusions:

This project demonstrated the beneficial effects of music in a patient population that struggles with symptom management when only pharmacologic management is used. These data elucidate biological and psychosocial factors that are positively impacted by the intervention. With additional evidence in music as well as other artistic modalities, it is promising that arts-based programs in inpatient hospice and palliative care settings will continue to expand and flourish.