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

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?

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.

Theoretically, the intervention adopts a humanistic approach of person centred care highlighting the importance of maintaining and enhancing personhood for older people with 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

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.