Personalised Music Therapy for Older Adults with Parkinson's Disease and Dementia

This article discusses the application of personalised music therapy for older adults suffering from Parkinson's disease and dementia. It explores the effectiveness of this intervention in improving cognitive, behavioral, and mental abilities. The article also reviews research articles that support the use of music therapy and identifies knowledge gaps in the field. It highlights the implications for older persons and the importance of this therapy for new graduate nurses.

Running head: NURSING ASSIGNMENT
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Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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Introduction
World population aging is one of the primary concerns of the cumulative health care society around the globe. With increase in the rate
of advancements of healthcare instruments and applications, people are living longer and due to this, as per the World Health Organisation
(2019), the number of older people is expected to reach up to 2 billion by 2050, compared to 900 million people in 2015. Advancement of
healthcare instruments, healthcare interventions and application of evidence based practices has also increased the ratio of older adults in
Australian societies.
As per the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2019), I in every 7 individual in Australia is more than 65 year of age as well as in
total 15% of the total population in Australia (3.8 million people) are over 65 year of age. Further, it was also observed that more than 8 million
population would be over the age of 65 by the year 2097. Australian government, henceforth, is applying several means so that the increasing
complications of the patients could be treated effectively.
The primary aim of this paper, therefore, is to discuss a news article of ABBC news Australia so that adequate knowledge on the
application of music therapy on the older adults suffering from Parkinson’s disease could be obtained. Adequate evidences related to this
intervention would be provided in this aspect.

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Summary of media item
The news article related to personalised music therapy for the patients suffering from dementia, and Parkinson’s disease was written by
Catherine Heuzenroeder and the primary aspect which was discussed in the paper was application of personalised music therapy so that older
adults suffering from mental healthcare complications could be provided with effective and improved interventions (ABC News 2018). As per
this article, it was stated that application of personalised music therapy is much more helpful than the normal music therapy in which general
music pieces are used for effective improvement in patient’s conditions. It was also mentioned that sing-alongs or therapies where patients could
sing their favourite sings with live music could increase their health improvement condition and hence, as per this intervention their cognitive,
behavioural and mental abilities has been n found to be improved effectively (ABC News 2018). The article also mentioned that people could be
provided with effective intervention and to achieve this, more than 100 hospitals dealing with dementia or Parkinson’s affected older adults
applied this intervention for the treatment of older adults. It was mentioned by one of the hospitals dementia care staff that, patients that are
vulnerable and emotionally weak could be provided with this sing- along intervention so that they can develop the sense of relatedness and
effectively their cognitive and behavioural ability improves. This was the summary of the entire news article provided written by Catherine
Heuzenroeder (ABC News 2018).
A review of the aged care literature
In several recent research articles, the application of music therapy in elderly patients suffering from mental health concerns such as
dementia, anxiety, Parkinson’s disease and others were applied so that the effectiveness of it could be easily observed. In the research article by

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Chu et al. (2014), the primary aim of the researchers was to analyse the role of personalised music therapy in the patients suffering
from Alzheimer-type dementia and in this condition, they conducted a qualitative randomised control trail to measure the effectiveness of this
intervention. In this research process, total 104 older adults suffering from Alzheimer-type dementia were selected for the study and after the
application of effective intervention, the follow up was taken after the completion of 12 sessions and the effectiveness of the music therapy
intervention was evaluated in multiple stages. After the completion of the study, it was seen that patients that were provided with group
personalised music therapy were able to show better improvement that the generalised music therapy related group. In another systematic
literature review developed by Cabrera et al. (2015), the primary aim was to understand the effectiveness of non- pharmacological music therapy
so that people could be provided with effective interventions applied in nursing home and in which the extent at which music therapy helps them
to achieve expected outcome. These outcomes were related to improved quality of life and quality of life and while conducting the systematic
review it was mentioned that multiple activities such as physical activity, psychological activity, therapeutic touch and interventions were
compared with music therapy and in the process it was observed that patients that were applied with music therapy and in which the patients
were able to listen to their own choice of sings were able to overcome their critical condition and improved their cognitive abilities effectively.
Another research article by Raglio et al. (2015), was used for the identification and application of music therapy especially for the individualised
music therapies due to which people with dementia could increase their quality of life. In this aspect, the researchers conducted a randomised
control trail with qualitative study and in nine Italian healthcare settings, these interventions were applied among 120 patients that are suffering
from old age dementia. The intervention evaluation effectively identified that with application of intervention, patients were able to overcome

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their mental and cognitive abilities so that people could overcome their critical health conditions and significant changes were observed among
patients that developed their own playlist for their music therapy (Sihvonen et al. 2017). Hence, this research article effectively proves the
intervention which was mentioned in the news article by ABC news Australia. Similar findings were observed in the paper by McDermott,
Orrell and Ridder (2015), however, the primary aim of the researchers to understand the way music therapy helps the patients to improve their
dementia condition. For this, they implemented the intervention among several focused groups and then conducted interviews to understand their
experiences. After the conduction of the process, it was observed that patients that were provided with effective interventions, could overcome
their health condition due to the Sustaining musical and interpersonal connectedness, so that quality of life could be maintained. Moreover,
another researchers raised the question that does application of music therapy improves dementia patient’s health condition and they found that
application of music therapy imparts the patients with dementia with cognitive ability and due to this improved cognitive and behavioural
functioning, people are able to overcome their critical dementia conditions (Zhang et al. 2017).
Hence, these articles effectively discusses the way application of personalised or individual choices of music therapy helps in the
reduction in the complications associated with dementia among older adults.
Knowledge gaps identified from literature reviewed
Despite the wide array of researches that has been conducted till date for the understanding and assessment of the way music therapy
helps in the improvement in the dementia condition. As every research process focused upon the application of music therapy and assessing its
effectiveness, the articles did not focus on the strategies that help patients to improve their mental health condition, if they feel the sense of

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relatedness as mentioned by Ray and Mittelman (2017). This could be one of the relevant and important area of research related to music therapy
application among dementia patients so that this area could also be explored for cumulative and holistic assessment of music therapy application
among older adults suffering from dementia or related critical health conditions (Tsoi et al. 2018).
Implications for the older person
If the process using which the sense of relatedness helps to improve the patient condition is observed, then it would be an effective and
revolutionary intervention for the treatment of dementia and other critical mental health concerns. As mentioned by Zhang et al. (2017),
application of music therapy related intervention among patients with dementia should be conducted in the presence of family members as with
the music and presence of family members, they would be able to feel the sense of relatedness and in the process, they would be able to
overcome their mental health condition effectively (Maseda et al. 2018). Hence, if the healthcare professionals are provided with ability to
understand the pathway using which music therapies help the patients of dementia to release dopamine and develop a sense of relatedness, it
would help them to develop effective healthcare strategies. So that they can improve several patients mental illness with this effective
intervention (Legere et al. 2018). Hence, in this condition, future research should focus on the identification of strategies using which music
therapy helps them to overcome their mental concern and improve patient condition. This is because it would help the patients to understand the
connection between mental healthcare conditions.

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Importance to new graduate nurses
Upon reflecting on the proposed intervention, it could be said that inclusion of music therapy in the healthcare facilities with patients of
dementia would help them to overcome their heath complication with effective means. However, as per my critical thinking, prior to apply this
therapy on the patients, the family centered care should be applied so that with the help of patient’s families, their playlist could be collected for
the implementation of personalised music therapy. Further, the nursing professionals should also be provided with effective training so that they
can conduct the process effectively. Therefore, for the application of effective music therapy, they can conduct the process effectively (Maseda
et al. 2018).
Conclusion
As the number of older adults are increasing, healthcare facilities are facing critical complications. Advancement in the technologies and
interventions are creating scope of more complex and critical care which could help the older adult’s lives, more easy and pain free. One such
aspect was written in the news article developed by ABC news ain which personalised music therapy and its usage were described for the
patients that are suffering from critical dementia conditions. Hence, a literature search was conducted so that people could overcome their health
condition and it could be observed that application of music therapy helps to reduce the older adults and their life complications effectively.

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References
ABC News (2018). Personalised music plays key role reaching dementia, Parkinson's sufferers. [online] ABC News. Available at:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-08/how-personalised-music-playlists-can-provide-therapy/9719126 [Accessed 2 Jun. 2019].
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2019. Older Australia at a glance, Demographics of older Australians - Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare. [online] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/older-people/older-australia-at-
a-glance/contents/demographics-of-older-australians [Accessed 2 Jun. 2019].
Cabrera, E., Sutcliffe, C., Verbeek, H., Saks, K., Soto-Martin, M., Meyer, G., Leino-Kilpi, H., Karlsson, S., Zabalegui, A. and
RightTimePlaceCare Consortium, 2015. Non-pharmacological interventions as a best practice strategy in people with dementia living in nursing
homes. A systematic review. European Geriatric Medicine, 6(2), pp.134-150.
Chu, H., Yang, C.Y., Lin, Y., Ou, K.L., Lee, T.Y., O’Brien, A.P. and Chou, K.R., 2014. The impact of group music therapy on depression and
cognition in elderly persons with dementia: a randomized controlled study. Biological research for Nursing, 16(2), pp.209-217.
Legere, L.E., McNeill, S., Schindel Martin, L., Acorn, M. and An, D., 2018. Nonpharmacological approaches for behavioural and psychological
symptoms of dementia in older adults: A systematic review of reviews. Journal of clinical nursing, 27(7-8), pp.e1360-e1376.

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Maseda, A., Cibeira, N., Lorenzo-López, L., González-Abraldes, I., Buján, A., de Labra, C. and Millán-Calenti, J.C., 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, (Preprint), pp.1-11.
McDermott, O., Orrell, M. and Ridder, H.M., 2014. The importance of music for people with dementia: the perspectives of people with
dementia, family carers, staff and music therapists. Aging & Mental Health, 18(6), pp.706-716.
Raglio, A., Bellandi, D., Baiardi, P., Gianotti, M., Ubezio, M.C., Zanacchi, E., Granieri, E., Imbriani, M. and Stramba‐Badiale, M., 2015. Effect
of active music therapy and individualized listening to music on dementia: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American
Geriatrics Society, 63(8), pp.1534-1539.
Ray, K.D. and Mittelman, M.S., 2017. Music therapy: A nonpharmacological approach to the care of agitation and depressive symptoms for
nursing home residents with dementia. Dementia, 16(6), pp.689-710.
Sihvonen, A.J., Saerkaemoe, T., Leo, V., Tervaniemi, M., Altenmüller, E. and Soinila, S., 2017. Music-based interventions in neurological
rehabilitation. The Lancet Neurology, 16(8), pp.648-660.
Tsoi, K.K., Chan, J.Y., Ng, Y.M., Lee, M.M., Kwok, T.C. and Wong, S.Y., 2018. Receptive music therapy is more effective than interactive
music therapy to relieve behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American
Medical Directors Association, 19(7), pp.568-576.

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World Health Organisation 2019. Ageing and health. [online] Who.int. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-
and-health [Accessed 2 Jun. 2019].
Zhang, Y., Cai, J., An, L., Hui, F., Ren, T., Ma, H. and Zhao, Q., 2017. Does music therapy enhance behavioral and cognitive function in elderly
dementia patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ageing research reviews, 35, pp.1-11.

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Authors Study design Sample Intervention Findings Implications
( Zhang et al. 2017) Systematic review 34 studies within
which 42 analyses,
1757 subjects
Application of music
therapy among older
adults with dementia
Findings indicated
that more than 70% of
the patients with
application of music
therapy would help
them to overcome
their critical health
condition.
The implications
indicated that
application of music
therapy is effective in
making the healthcare
process for older
adults effective.
(McDermott, Orrell
and Ridder 2014)
A qualitative study Separate focus groups
and interviews with
(1) care home
residents with
dementia and their
families, (2) day
Music therapy as non-
pharmacological
intervention
It indicated that
majority of the
patients that provided
effective intervention
were able to achieve
effective intervention.
Music therapy could
be effectively used as
important
intervention for the
patients with
dementia.

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hospital clients with
dementia, (3) care
home staff, and (4)
music therapists,
were conducted
(Raglio et al. 2015) Randomised control trial 120 patients in 9
healthcare facilities in
Italy
Application of music
therapy among
behavioural and
psychological
symptoms of
dementia affected
patients
Application of music
therapy was found to
be effective in
patients with severe
dementia condition
and within that
patients that selected
their own playlist was
shown significant
improvement.
This music therapy is
effective among the
patients to overcome
their critical health
conditions.
( Cabrera et al. 2015) Systematic review Total 31 articles were Music therapy Among multiple Music therapy was

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collected for the
systematic review
process
interventions, music
therapy was found to
be effective for the
patients so that they
can overcome their
complication
conditions
effective than
physical activity,
psychological
therapies and others
( Chu et al. 2014) Randomised control trial 104 patients affected
with dementia
Group music therapy
among patients with
dementia
The findings
indicated that
application of group
music therapy reduces
the critical health
condition among
patients of dementia
as well as improves
their mood and affect
Group music therapy
could be implemented
effectively for the
completion of
effective healthcare
among the patients
with dementia

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immediately after
implementation of
music therapy.
(Sihvonen et al.
2017)
Descriptive study Patients that are
suffering from
supporting cognition,
motor function, or
emotional wellbeing
in people with
Parkinson's disease,
epilepsy, or multiple
sclerosis
Group music therapy
as intervention with
programmed
interventions
psychological effects
and neurobiological
mechanisms
underlying the effects
of music interventions
are likely to share
common neural
systems for reward,
arousal, affect
regulation, learning,
and activity-driven
plasticity
Music therapy is
effective in making
the patients with
dementia or
Parkinson’s disease
effective