Effect of music care on depression and behavioral problems in elderly people with dementia in Taiwan: A pilot study

---

Chia-Shan Wu, Su-Hsien Chang, Ching-Len Yu

National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taiwan
National Tainan Junior College of Nursing, Taiwan
Kung-Shen University, Taiwan

: Int J Ment Health Psychiatry

Abstract

---

Objective: The purpose was to test the effectiveness of music care on cognitive function, depression, and behavioral problems among elderly people with dementia in long-term care facilities in Taiwan. Methods: The study was a two group, pre-post test research design. Subjects were not randomly assigned to experimental group (n = 60) or comparison group (n = 22). Based on Bandura’s social cognition theory, subjects in the experimental group received Kagayashiki music care (KMC) twice per week for 8 weeks. Subjects in the comparison group were provided with activities as usual. Results: Results found that a significant negative correlation between the MMSE and CAPE-BRS (The Clifton Assessment Procedures for the Elderly-Behaviour Rating Scale), a positive correlation between MMSE and BADL (basic activity of daily living), and a positive correlation between the CSDD(The Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia) and CAPE-BRS. Result also showed that subjects’ BADL score has had a significant negative correlation with CAPE-BRS and CSDD. Hence, results showed that two group of subjects have had statistical significant improved in BALD, and decline in CAPE-BRS score, but subjects in the experimental group has had significant improved in MMSE score. Conclusion: These findings provide information for staff caregivers in long-term care facilities to develop a noninvasive care model for elderly people with dementia to deal with depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems.

Biography

---

Wu Chiashan is pursuing PhD at National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences. She also serves as a Lecturer at National Tainan Nursing College. Her research areas are Psychiatric Nursing, Nursing Education, Geriatric Nursing.

E-mail: shingyeh2001@yahoo.com.tw