Website of The Care Home Environment Magazine

University to sample music therapy impact on care residents

Middlesex University researchers are to study the impact of music therapy on elderly people who live in care homes and are suffering from cognitive decline.

The MusiCare project involves 200 people aged 65 and over who live independently or in Methodist Home Association (MHA) care homes.

During the three-year study starting early next year, Middlesex University’s Music Cognition Communication Lab (MCC Lab) will compare participants attending one-hour weekly improvisational music therapy in one-to-one versus small group sessions for four months.

Healthy residents aged 65 and over will take part in the first baseline study, and residents aged 65 and above with either mild or severe cognitive impairments will participate in the second study.

Before and after the study, MCC Lab researchers will use neuropsychological tests and biomarkers to assess residents’ general cognitive level, along with evaluations of the benefit of the music therapy sessions on the resident’s mood and behaviour.

The aim of the project is to show which type of music therapy - individual or group - is the most beneficial in function of the level of cognitive ability or impairment of the participants.

“With populations living longer it is likely that more people will experience cognitive decline for example, experiencing attention and memory difficulties,” said MCC Lab team leader and senior lecturer in psychology Dr Fabia Franco.

“It is therefore essential that researchers investigate how individuals can maintain good levels of cognitive function for longer and stave off impairment,” she added.

MCC Lab obtained a grant of £299,957 from the Dunhill Medical Trust for the project following seed funding for preliminary work from MHA and the Society for Education and Music Psychology Research.

Upcoming Events

Care Roadshows - Glasgow

Hampden Park Stadium, Glasgow
16th April 2024

Care Show London

ExCel, London
24 April 2024 - 25 April 2024

Future of Care Leaders Conference

The King’s Fund, London
Tuesday 30th April 2024

Care Roadshows - Liverpool

Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
14th May 2024

Care Roadshows - Birmingham

Villa Park Stadium, Birmingham
16th May 2024

Care Home Awards

Royal Garden Hotel, London, W8 4PT
17th May 2024

Upcoming Events

Care Roadshows - Glasgow

Hampden Park Stadium, Glasgow
16th April 2024

Care Show London

ExCel, London
24 April 2024 - 25 April 2024

Future of Care Leaders Conference

The King’s Fund, London
Tuesday 30th April 2024

Care Roadshows - Liverpool

Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
14th May 2024

Care Roadshows - Birmingham

Villa Park Stadium, Birmingham
16th May 2024

Care Home Awards

Royal Garden Hotel, London, W8 4PT
17th May 2024

Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 779999
www.step-communications.com
© 2024 Step Communications Ltd. Registered in England. Registration Number 3893025