title: Composing in Dementia Settings: Developing a Practitioner’s Toolkit
Creators: name: Bryan, Michael
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2026

description: Dementia is a syndrome associated with progressive cognitive decline and a range of
behavioural and psychological symptoms which severely impact the wellbeing of those
affected by it. While current pharmacological treatments can help to alleviate certain
symptoms, they are limited in their ability to improve the overall wellbeing of people living
with dementia (PLWD). Owing to these limitations and in the absence of a ‘cure’, exploring
new ways to support PLWD is therefore a global priority. Music-based interventions have
shown considerable promise for addressing this need, through alleviating symptoms and
improving wellbeing and quality of life. However, research into music composition, as a form
of musical engagement, is currently less well understood. Nevertheless, music composition-
based interventions have great potential to provide stimulating musical experiences and
imparting unique benefits to PLWD. This research aimed to investigate how music
practitioners deliver these types of interventions and the methods they employ within them.
Furthermore, it aimed to produce a practical toolkit for music practitioners to utilise in their
practice and for training purposes.
To address these aims, I devised a two stage co-production process drawing on the expert
perspectives of professionals involved in the delivery and organisation of music composition-
based interventions. The first stage consisted of an interview study which was conducted to
investigate the approaches, methods and attitudes towards a prospective toolkit obtained from
experienced practitioners in this field. This stage also incorporated an autoethnographic
account of my own practice and methods as an experienced practitioner. The second stage
included the creation of a prototype toolkit synthesised from the analysis and findings from the
first co-production stage. It also comprised of a focus group study with music practitioners and
other relevant stakeholders, which was conducted to obtain feedback on the prototype in order
to improve and validate the planned, final toolkit. This stage culminated in developing the
‘Composing in Dementia Settings Toolkit’.
Overall, this co-production process uncovered insights into, and convergence between, the
delivery approaches of music practitioners and how they encourage PLWD to collaboratively
compose music. It also identified myriad activities and methods for writing lyrics and
composing music. Moreover, it highlighted the distinct advantages that these methods of
engagement can impart, thus supporting the implementation of these types of projects. As a
result, this research contributes to the knowledge base concerning the use of music
composition-based interventions in dementia settings. Furthermore, through co-producing the
‘Composing in Dementia Settings Toolkit’, it has contributed a systematically designed and
practical resource underpinned by a wealth of knowledge and experience. As such, the toolkit
can support music practitioners in their practice and provide music charities, organisations and
institutions with a valuable training resource. It can also provide a platform for the systematic
delivery of music composition-based interventions which can improve and promote their
implementation as well as provide a strong platform for evaluating their impact on PLWD and
their caregivers.