Press Release for EVMS Student Association of Geriatric Enthusiasts (SAGE) Research Symposium Music Therapy Research with older adults with dementia Overview
Beth Sholom Music Therapy Research with older adults living with dementia, Becky Watson, MBA, Board Certified Music Therapist, Owner, Music for Wellness, LLC
It was an honor to present with other EVMS students on their research project. Wayles Haynes (second year medical student) from Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) discussed our research study: “Music Therapy: Evaluation of a nonpharmacological Approach to Treat Behavioral Issues with Nursing Home Residents with Dementia.” I gave a brief overview of Music Therapy, research, goals, and positive impact with older adults living with dementia.
This research study took place at Beth Sholom Village in Virginia Beach and lead by Hamid R. Okhravi, MD.
Other research presentations included: Performance Analysis of Geriatric Consult Service for Geriatric Trauma Patients, Effect of Clopidogrel use on rate to Cognitive Decline, Hydrophilic vs Lipophilic Statin Therapy in Mild Cognitive Impairment.
Dr. Palmer, Glennan Center Director, discussed the learning experience and professional development of conducting research requires Different approach for than being a Practicing physician.
- Requires literature review, research design, database analysis, medical interpretation, and developing hypothesis, etc
- Systematic Approach: Conduct the study, presentations, posters, and great learning evaluation
- Critical Appraisal Review: become an astute researcher, become more critical in the review, understand strengths and weakness of the study.
- Importance and impact of relationships with other students and where research goes in the future
It was an honor to be part of Music Therapy research study to advance the field of music therapy and to have a positive impact on the quality of life for individuals and their care partners living with dementia/cognitive impairment.
The results proved the feasibility of music therapy in a small number of nursing home and assisted-living residents with dementia. However, there is not enough statistical evidence to conclude that there is a significant difference in the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), the Alzheimer’s Disease Related Quality of Life (ADRQL), the Zarit Burden Interview and Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home (NPI-NH ADRQL. The scores at baseline and six weeks after intervention implementation—either for the total sample overall or between any of the group comparisons.
Future goals: With the results of this pilot feasibility study, we plan to implement a second round of our project with larger number of participants (multi-site project), longer duration of intervention (12 weeks), and inclusion of participants with higher levels of challenging behaviors at baseline (higher average NPI-NH scores). We also plan to include more objective measures such as actigraphy (sleep measurement), measurement of vital signs, and measurement of serum inflammatory markers such as CRP levels before and after intervention. We will also measure the effect of music therapy on psychotropic medication reduction such as antipsychotic medications.
Thank you to Dr. Okhravi for his mentorship and to EVMS students, Beth Sholom Staff, Care Partners and Volunteers for your support and interest in enriching the lives of the Beth Sholom residents through music.
Thank you for the generous financial contribution of the Beth Sholom Auxiliary, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, and Virginia Beach Task Force on Aging in support of the Music Therapy Research.
If your memory care community is interested in learning more and would like to be considered for the second round of music therapy research, please contact me my emailing; becky@music4wellness.net
Becky Watson is passionate about serving older adults, care partners and health care professionals with evidenced based Music Therapy programs and Music Wellness programs as the owner of Music for Wellness, LLC. After serving her country for over 25 years and achieving the rank of Navy Captain, Becky completed her Music Therapy degree at Loyola, New Orleans and completed a Music Therapy Internship at Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, VA.
http://Music4Wellness.net Music for YOUR Wellness, Music for Wellness, LLC, 757-563-3488
Email: info@music4wellness.net
For more information on Music Therapy, check out our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/MusicForYourWellness
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