"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

The positive effects of online group singing on psycho-physiological variables during the COVID-19 pandemic-A pilot randomized controlled trial

The psychological variables that were particularly influenced by social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic-stress, loneliness, social participation, and well-being-correspond closely to variables that can also be influenced by music. The present study is a pilot randomized controlled trial examining the effects of online group singing on psycho-physiological variables during the pandemic. Over 4 weeks, an online singing group sang together once a week, for 1 h, under the guidance of a professional voice coach. In a first control group, participants also met for 60 min per week but only discussed and exchanged personal experiences about music. A second control condition consisted of a waiting list group. Across all variables studied (positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, stress, loneliness, social participation, self-efficacy, and body perception), positive effects were revealed in the singing group and in the discussion group, but not in the waiting list group. The effects of the variables self-efficacy, social participation, loneliness, and life satisfaction were markedly stronger in the singing group than in the discussion group. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of group singing on a number of psycho-physiological variables, which can be used profitably in and outside of times of crisis, in both clinical and non-clinical settings.

Listening to Remotely Monitored Home-based Preferred Music for Pain in Older Black Adults with Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study of Feasibility and Acceptability

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) is a complex condition that is widespread among older Black adults. Nonpharmacologic interventions are recommended as first-line therapy, but their use in practice is limited, possibly due to misunderstanding of their analgesic characteristics.

AIM

To determine the feasibility and acceptability of listening to preferred music at home to relieve pain in older Black adults aged 65 years or older with LBP.

METHOD

We recruited 20 community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) with LBP to use noise-isolating headphones to listen to their preferred music for 20 minutes twice daily for four days via the MUSIC CARE® app. Feasibility was determined using enrollment, adherence, and attrition rates, and acceptability was determined using the Treatment Acceptance and Preference (TAP) scale. Average pain scores were self-reported using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) after the second intervention of the day. Pain scores were evaluated using paired sample t test and repeated-measures ANOVA.

RESULTS

Enrollment, adherence, and attrition rates were 95.25%, 100.00%, and 0.00%, respectively. Most participants rated the TAP scale at ≥3, indicating acceptance. Pain scores decreased significantly from baseline (M = 46.90, SD = 21.47) to post-intervention (M = 35.70, SD = 16.57), t (19) = 2.29, p = .03. Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant decrease in mean pain scores over time [F (2.36, 44.88) = 5.61, p = .004, η2 = .23].

CONCLUSIONS

Listening to preferred music for 20 minutes twice a day is a feasible and acceptable intervention that can considerably reduce pain in older Black adults with LBP.

Measuring music engagement in older adults: the UNE music in aging wellness scale (MAWS)

OBJECTIVES

Engagement with music (i.e. listening, moving to the beat, joining in, performance) is documented to enhance cognition, mood, socialization, and a host of other wellness indicators in advancing age. A number of comprehensive scales measure this engagement, but a brief, accessible scale designed for general use with older adults is lacking. This project was undertaken to create and offer preliminary validation of the 7-item Music in Aging Wellness Scale (MAWS).

METHOD

Seven items reflecting aspects of music engagement (ME) were developed by expert opinion (e.g. 'I always tap my foot or sway my body to good music') for completion on a 1-7, strongly disagree to strongly agree, Likert scale. These were subject to exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (n = 349 cases) along with a set of six experimental items on ageism. It was hypothesized these items would cluster by content, thus showing separation into distinct factors.

RESULTS

This was achieved and the resulting measure showed sound internal consistency (0.82), split-half reliability (0.71), and one-year test-retest (0.83). The MAWS total score was found to correlate significantly in expected directions with common gerontological measures. High scorers reported less depression, more mastery, less loneliness, and larger social networks. No association was found for worry-based anxiety and self-reported cognitive decline.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary reliability and validity study suggests that the MAWS may be an appropriate outcome and tracking measure for older adults involved in music-wellness interventions. Future research will further validate MAWS characteristics and associations with other established measures in this important field.

Music Therapy as an Intervention to Reduce Blood Pressure and Anxiety Levels in Older Adults With Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Hypertension is a serious medical condition, the frequency of which increases significantly with age; has a negative impact on certain health complications; and increases the rate of mortality. Music therapy as a nonpharmacological treatment has many positive effects on an individual's body and mind. A randomized controlled trial was used to evaluate the effects of music therapy on blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety levels in older adults with hypertension living in a nursing home. Sixty older adults were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (n = 30 each). Significant reductions in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety levels were found in older adults with hypertension receiving music therapy compared with the control group. The current study confirms music therapy as a safe, noninvasive, nonpharmacological, and cost-effective intervention for reducing blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety levels in older adults with hypertension. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 15(2), 85-92.].