The Role of Music Therapy in Dementia Patient Mental Health Care

This report examines music therapy as a mental health nursing intervention for dementia patients. It investigates the impact of music therapy on dementia patients, evaluating music interventions for addressing behavioral and psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and restlessness. The report also explores challenges in caring for dementia patients. The literature review covers the use of music therapy as a non-pharmacological approach, its effects on behavior, and the importance of addressing psychological symptoms. The research aims to understand how music therapy can improve communication, manage behaviors, and enhance memory in patients. The significance of this research lies in its potential to improve the quality of care for dementia patients and provide insights into non-pharmacological treatment options. The report highlights the importance of music therapy in improving the quality of life for dementia patients, by providing better treatments and overcoming challenges.

To recognise music therapy as one of the
mental health nursing interventions in
caring for Dementia patients
1

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LITERACTURE REVIEW.............................................................................................................4
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................8
DATA INTERPRETATION.........................................................................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................22
RECOMMENDATION.................................................................................................................23
REFLECTION...............................................................................................................................23
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................26
2

Title: To investigate about music therapy as one of mental health nursing intervention in caring
for dementia patients.
INTRODUCTION
Dementia is a leading cause of morbidity as well as mortality, particularly in western
countries. More than ever, creative non-pharmacological therapies are required to ensure that
maintain the care of patient under supervision. Music therapy is one of most common approach
that help for measuring the actual condition of patient. It is supposed to bring in ethical condition
that have been limited to fairly and under the improvement. By using music therapy, medical
professional is mainly focused on the mental condition of patient where it has developed as
clinically applied the treatment in different healthcare setting. In another way, it is a type of
process which mainly define in both discipline and professions (Melhuish, Grady and Holland,
2019). It may depend on the particular group of people and different culture. In this way,
Dementia is commonly disorder that mainly treated with music therapy. It focused on the
improve communication, behavioural management and memory which facilitating interactive
relation with professionals. Music is the best tool or platform to achieve significant goals and
also measured the result or outcome.
The research is based on the music therapy with focus on the mental health condition of
dementia patient. Therefore, it examine the effect of music therapy on increase in desirable
behaviour such as participation degree in activity and concentration space. It helps for
identifying the reduction of unwanted behaviour of dementia patient such as anxiety, depression
and restlessness through music therapy.
Aim: To Investigate about the music therapy as one of mental health nursing intervention in
caring for dementia patients.
Objective:
 To identify impact of music therapy on dementia patient.
 To evaluate the music interventions for addressing behavioral and psychological
symptoms in patient with dementia.
 To recommend that overcome challenges during the caring for dementia patient.
3

Research question
 How can identify impact of music therapy on dementia patient?
 How can music interventions for addressing behavioral and psychological symptoms in
patient with dementia?
 What are different challenges overcome during the caring for dementia patient?
Significance
The significance of research is to involve passive listening of music that provide by
medical practitioners. It help for developing interaction which may select based either on subject
of musical preferences. The research study will help for examining the behavior and
psychological mental health condition of dementia patient. In order to recognize the needs where
provide better treatments of dementia patient across the world. Furthermore, Researcher will
understand the concept of music therapy and gain more knowledge about their positive result or
outcome.
Rationale
The purpose of study is to explore the value of music therapy from perspective of patient
with dementia. The reteach project will identify that how families, nursing staff and music
therapists perceive the effects on the patient with moderate and serve better treatment. In order to
analyse their significant impact that must explore link between the psychological and behavioral
mental condition of dementia patient. Furthermore, research will help for researcher to collect
large number of information about music therapy where how it will support for purpose of
treatment. However, Investigator will understand the situation and reconstruct in effects to make
sense for identifying behavior of people. The researcher is directly engaging with experience of
dementia patient and trying to understand their view point.
LITERACTURE REVIEW
Theme: 1 identify impact of music therapy on dementia patient.
According to Dowson and McDermott (2019) Music therapy has gained an increasing the
attention as promising non-pharmacological approach that applied in care of dementia patient. It
is based on the process as intervention whereas it help for therapist to promote the health of
client by using music experience. In order to create an effective relationship and develop as
dynamic changes. This type of therapy directly impact on the dementia care by nursing staff.
They can easily utilise the Wide range of music interventions such as listening, singing and
4

improvising. It emphasis with the music therapist where they are developing an effective
relationship through process. Sometimes, it also compared with the therapy that can utilise
extensively live and become active music technique by professionals. Music interventions are
basically characterized by use of music listening which are implemented by personnel. It can be
determined the positive impact of music intervention on the dementia care which may including
behavioural symptoms, social as well as emotional function. However, it will measure the
evidence of music therapy and medicine interventions in dementia care.
As per Ekra and Dale (2020) Music therapy is a type of non-pharmacological
intervention that may be considered as most effective psychological approach in the long term
improvement. This type of intervention can provide lost cost alternative medicine which easily
reduce behavioural disturbances. In another way, Music therapy cannot be measured for
dementia but it has shown to reduce symptoms. It also identified that therapy is safe with effects
on the behaviour which are similar to other regularly interventions. It is important for patient
with dementia that provide better outlet of expression, generally during the dysfunction and
stress. For dementia patient, therapy has leads to feeling the positive self-esteems while
increasing the independence and also diminishes of social isolation.
According to Esplen and et.al. (2020) Singing music remain quite possible, it always
encouraging for patient in early stage of dementia. In this way, it can be identified that music
inspire or motivate the people, eliciting feelings. The Music therapy can positive impact on the
dementia patient where it will improve their memories and combine with happy moments
through music. During initial stage, it is require for improving the overall health condition of
people, playing music to relief the frustration level. Music therapy can distract someone which
help for improving physical activities such as exercise, listening music on walk. For instance, it
is further for improving ability of person those are suffering from dementia. It is the best way to
useful for relieve, agitation and restlessness. Furthermore, it can be utilising the benefits during
physical activities, it often plays important role where everyone participate. Many nurses have
been motivated the people to develop positive feeling after listening music. Music therapy plays
important role for stimulating the brain in people who will not communicate. In this way,
medical professionals, nurses start to examine brain functionality of people, identify the effects
of both encouraging and calming.
5

Theme: 2 Music interventions for addressing behavioral and psychological symptoms in patient
with dementia.
According to Gulliver and West (2019) Music therapy is basically recognized the
technique by using music, it help for improving overall health condition. Many medical
professionals uses psychological therapy that allows communication and interaction with
multiple client. In this way, it can be identified that use for people according to abilities and age.
Especially when they are facing problem in communication. Due to therapy, it also examined
that many people with dementia feel isolated with their native language. During this phase, It
will be applied the music therapy that support to minimize stress, anxiety and also enhanced the
emotional wellbeing through non-verbal as well as verbal communication. On the other hand, it
also increased the social interaction and other cognitive stimulation. Furthermore, it is motivating
use of knowledge which help for improving abilities in long term memory management.
Lipe and Edmonston (2019) argue that Music therapy is being increasing the use as non-
pharmacological intervention in care of dementia patients. During the progress of dementia, there
are many specialist, nurses professional require to intervene and also maintain or develop safe
environment. It is important for providing better care services to patient. Furthermore, the music
therapy intervention for dementia patient, which mainly including the significant method used to
identify behavioral as well as psychological symptoms of dementia.
Langhammer and et.al. (2019) As per analysis, it can be identified that small group of
people participate in the music therapy where they can easily reduce the level of depression,
wandering mind level, behavior and agitation. It directly effects on the health condition of
people. Through Music therapy, it can be determined the personal psychology and behavior of
patient that would be affected by the dementia. In order to increase complex interaction between
social psychology, physical health, personality, neurological and other biography. The sensitivity
and quality of interpersonal process among people due to dementia. It is one of key components
that support for providing better health care services while developing an effective relationship
through musical interaction. In this way, it is to be consider as therapist intervention which
mainly shows the human activities through communication.
() said that proposed as biopsychosocial model with dementia that understanding internal
relationship among human activities. It will be considered as traceable factor which easily
6

identify the factors such as mood swing, social environment, mental health condition,
personality. These factors are closely associated with the person ability where how they can
understand their previous life events, education. On the other hand, it also compared with
another biopsychosocial model to review dementia, it is something that will change, adopt and
improve the position health condition. In order to identify their behavior towards social
environment whereas how dementia will improve by patients through music therapy
interventions. The model is providing the comprehensive idea where dementia impact is
presented in the form of process rather than it just end product. It allowing for intervention
process to influence toward care of treatments.
Apart from that it has found music experience always influencing the people
psychological traceable factor and also linked with their personal traits, behavior. In this way, it
is not only explore the impact of music therapy on the behavior, psychological symptoms but
also identify the best way to reduce problem.
Theme: 3 challenges overcome during the caring for dementia patient.
According to ScerriInnes and Scerri (2019) many patients with suffered from dementia,
caring with primary system provided by nursing staff in hospitals. It became challenging in term
of medical as well as psychiatric. The symptoms are recognized by primary care system where
people suffer from chronic medical condition or situation. On the other hand, it also display the
clinical relevant psychological as well as behavioral symptoms. Improving mental health
condition of dementia patient by supporting primary care system through various resources. In
order to build an effective coordination with dementia specialist and use feasible dementia
screening. During care system, it would be identified the probability of surviving challenges in
future. It can be involved that many clinical members constantly interact with in patient and face
problem of external as well as internal changes. So as it become more complex to maintain the
patient medical status, regulations, findings and requirements. Although, primary care system
doesn’t identified an appropriate resources to give better diagnosis, evaluation and complex
management needs for individuals with dementia. It would be better controlled the challenges in
early stage because many people with dementia can reach where they have no longer
communicate. Therefore, it will increase more challenges for ability to interact or communicate
with other.
7

Gautier (2019) To overcome challenges by using music therapy and consider as care
system to stop feeling of loneliness and also decline in self-esteem. It is the best way to reduce
mental health condition of people with dementia. There is lack of social interaction that can
cause while increasing music therapy. It being seen as lifeline which providing the music
therapeutic stimulus, allows for controlling self-expression.
In another way, Medical professional use new technology that support to maintain
independence. It is one of most common for people living with dementia which expressing
directional difficulties and causing stress, anxiety. Therefore, it is providing the solutions with
implement GPS tacking platform which being promoted by medial staff members. Moreover,
nursing staff coordinated on monthly basis, provide support meeting that include exercise
program for patients. On the other hand, dementia related symptoms are not properly recognized
during primary care so that individual suffer from different medical condition. So that it can be
implemented the technique to identify behavioral and psychological symptoms. In order to use
complex adaptive system to reduce pain, stress and anxiety among people. The burden of
dementia has increased a lot of problem or issue so that they can implement music theory
intervention to handle critical condition in proper manner.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is a process that useful for analysing, identifying and collecting data
relevant to case study (Deng and Deng, 2019). This type of research methodology will help for
evaluating the reliability as well as validity in the further study purpose. In another way, it is a
type of sequential approach for identifying the information or data, performed the different task
in research study.
Research method
It refers as plan and procedure for collecting the information or data which are related to the
case study. It is also known as tool which mainly used to understand significant role of
information in research case study. There are different ways to categorise research method such
as qualitative and quantitative research method.
Qualitative research method is a based on the existing theories which help for identifying
depth knowledge about the project. In order to gain more information or data while enabling to
express idea, thoughts and beliefs. It often regards for providing the real life situation, able to
gain more details about previous theory. On the other hand, Quantitative method is defined as
8

numerical value that help for calculating the accurate result or outcome. It help for researcher to
examine the relationship between mathematical variables and numerical instructions. In order to
predict the solution on the basis statistical technique.
The investigator has used the qualitative research method for collecting large number of fata
related to the case study. Through qualitative, researcher has improved their understanding
towards the knowledge about people.
Research Design
It mainly referred as strategy that associated with the different elements, which used in the
research case study. It applicable within research project in both logical as well as coherent ways
(Ghauri, Grønhaug and Strange, 2020). It must ensure that find out the problem during research
analysis. Research design is a process for implementing in the research project to collect an
appropriate outcome. There are different way to divided into conclusive and exploratory.
Conclusive research design is a process that help for generating final solution and also
identifying accurate result. It is mainly used in quantitative research method. Apart from that
exploratory design is based on the previous exiting theory for collecting information in further
expansion.
The Scholar has chosen exploratory research design that help for addressing research
problem, nature and their structure. This design pattern support for researcher to determine the
process while improving understanding towards solution.
Research Philosophy
It refer as nature, source and knowledge about the research project while simply act as
determine the assumption to relate with the case study. It is also consider as certain idea, belief
and assumption on the case study (Mintzberg, 2019). The investigator directly engage with the
philosophy and afterwards, design as a conceptual framework. It can be classified into different
groups: positivism, Interpretivism, realism and pragmatism.
The scholar has chosen interpretivism philosophy in the case study, interpreting the
different elements. It also integrated with the philosophy to analyse human interest towards real
life activities. So as researcher can assume the reality to collect realistic data or information
related research project. In this project, investigator has chosen qualitative research method so as
implemented interpretivism philosophy to emerge within case study. The primary reason for
adopting the philosophy and determine the cross culture difference. By using interpretivism,
9

Scholar has been identified high level of depth understanding towards research project. It should
be considered the trustworthy as well as honest during research project analysis.
Research Approach
It is based on the process that can be used for testing the validity of assumption,
identifying the suitable result. It is the most important concept that applicable within research
project for purpose of data collection. Afterwards, it can easily interpret relevant data or
information in proper manner. The research approach consists of scientific idea which provide
better way to enhance the research in future. Another way, it help for identifying nature and
problem within case study. It can be divided into different types: Inductive, Abductive and
deductive.
Deductive approach is mainly developing the hypotheses ideas with the help of previous
existing theory. In this way, it useful for research planning, testing the relationship with result or
outcome. On the other hand, inductive research approach is considerable an appropriate
observation and also proposed the solution by using research activities. It mainly including
various pattern to describe overall process within research project. Apart from that Abductive
approach is defined multiple set of process which automatically identify strength and weakness
of project. In this way, it become easier for scholar to move towards right direction and
implementing new concept, idea in research expansion. It is integrated with different approach
for analysing reteach project in proper manner.
The scholar has chosen inductive approach which mainly supporting to gather
information about research project. It is the most suitable approach to gather data into different
patter while analysing the start point to end point. This approach provide the facilities of
researcher to expand the research project in specific direction where they have chances to
explore new innovation in the project. The investigator has used inductive research approach to
formulate the research question and objective. In order to find out the significant result or
outcome. In some situation, it can be finding the answer of research problem with the help of
inductive approach.
Sampling
Sampling is consider as principles which mainly applied during research study. in order
to select participant members those are performing different task with research study. It is the
way to determine the human interest in the project. So as large number of population represent
10

their significant role in the project but researcher choose an appropriate member for population.
Afterwards, they can assign the task on the basis of capabilities and abilities. Sampling is the best
method for dividing into different groups: probability and non-probability.
The scholar has chosen simple random method in the research study. it is the better way
to collect large information about the project and also implementing suitable strategy to complete
task in proper manner. The scholar has chosen simple random which provide better insight about
the project. It is likely to choose the specific members as per requirement. Furthermore, the
technique is useful for researcher to remove bias from different activities, representing the
accurate result or outcome. It became right things to select the proper sample size because it
help for finding the answer. The sample size is 30 nursing staff.
Data collection method
It is a method or technique that help for collecting or gathering large amount information
through authenticate sources. In order to identify the solution of research project. The process is
test hypotheses and also evaluating the accurate result. Data collection can be divided into
different group: primary and secondary.
Primary data collection technique is collecting suitable data by using authenticate sources
such as interviews, observations and questionnaires. These are considered the best way to
identify correct information related research project.
Secondary data collection is another technique which used by researcher through articles,
journals, newspaper and website. These are different technique to collect relevant information
about the project and implementing new idea within it. In this way, it is maintain the reliability
of project in proper manner.
The scholar has chosen primary data collection and gathering information by using
questionnaires. It has been conducted the questionnaire session for finding opinion, thoughts and
view point of nursing staff members. In this way, researcher can improve their level of depth
understanding towards the research project.
Data analysis
It is a type of approach that applicable for involving discussion about the research pattern
and also controversies within the research study. Sometimes, it is related to research area or field.
As per qualitative analysis, researcher has chosen thematic analysis for finding an appropriate
data related to case study. It is an essential for researcher to evaluate data in both logical as well
11

as analytical ways. It is considered as a serious step which are undertaken by research analysis.
Furthermore, it provide the better way interpret the data as per understanding.
Ethical consideration
It is defined as important part within research study, controlling and maintaining the
principles related to ethical consideration in project.
 It is require for maintaining and controlling the behaviour towards other participants.
 It must ensure that equally treat to each participants and also respect to dignity of
researcher.
 It can be obtained the relevant data from authenticate sources and also maintaining
privacy.
 Avoid the exaggeration and deception about the research objective. It must ensure that
properly design aim in research project.
DATA INTERPRETATION
Theme 1. Effectiveness of musical therapy for the patient of dementia
Question 1. Do you think that music therapy is effective for the patient of dementia?
Answer Frequency
a) Strongly Agreed 5
b) Agreed 20
c) Neutral 1
d) Disagreed 2
e) Strongly disagree 2
12