Community Based Music and Dance Movement Therapy Group for Older Adults With Dementia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study explores the value of a particular community based music and dance movement therapy group for older adults with dementia? To answer this question, the investigators intend to address the following two sub-questions: How does participants' use of music and movement change over time? Did a music and dance movement therapy group improve participants' depressive symptoms?

Detailed Description
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A systematic review identified a need to explore the value of an arts therapies group for older adults with dementia living in the community with early to moderate stage dementia. This client population commonly experience depression, social withdrawal and cognitive difficulties and literature suggests a music and dance movement therapy group could potentially make a contribution to both reducing symptoms and improving communication and wellbeing. However, there is still lack of clarity on clinically meaningful outcome measures, detail regarding the therapeutic process and questions remain regarding the trustworthiness of qualitative observations. This mixed method feasibility study aims to test whether the interventions translate to a community setting, provide richer insight into the meaningful aspect of the therapeutic process and provide some preliminary quantitative findings.

Official Title
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A Community Based Music and Dance Movement Therapy Group for Older Adults With Dementia

Conditions
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Dementia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Music and dance movement therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Over 65 years old Living in the community Diagnosis of dementia Adequate functional hearing/vision Sufficient knowledge of English to understand participant information sheet Exclusion Criteria: Participants excluded if they suffered from any physical or psychological conditions that make it difficult to access a group setting independently.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Assessments taken at three different time periods: week zero, week five and week eleven.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Music and dance movement therapy group<br>Music and dance movement therapy group | Other: Music and dance movement therapy<br>* Theoretically, the intervention adopts a humanistic approach of person centred care highlighting the importance of maintaining and enhancing personhood for older people with dementia.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia | Joint interview with participant and care provider/family member regarding signs and symptoms of depression; a score greater than 10 indicates probably major depressive episode | 7 days |