Melbourne Conservatorium of Music - Research Publications
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ItemContent development and validation for a mobile application designed to train family caregivers in the use of music to support care of people living with dementia(FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, 2023-05-12)BACKGROUND: Music therapy is increasingly recognized as an effective support for people living with dementia. However, with incidences of dementia increasing, and limited availability of music therapists, there is a need for affordable and accessible ways that caregivers can learn to use music-therapy based strategies to support the people they care for. The MATCH project aims to address this by creating a mobile application that can train family caregivers in the use of music to support people living with dementia. METHODS: This study details the development and validation of training material for the MATCH mobile application. Training modules developed based on existing research were assessed by 10 experienced music therapist clinician-researchers, and seven family caregivers who had previously completed personalized training in music therapy strategies via the HOMESIDE project. Participants reviewed the content and scored each training module based on content (music therapists) and face (caregivers) validity scales. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate scores on the scales, while thematic analysis was used to analyze short-answer feedback. RESULTS: Participants scored the content as valid and relevant, however, they provided additional suggestions for improvement via short-answer feedback. CONCLUSION: The content developed for the MATCH application is valid and will be trailed by family caregivers and people living with dementia in a future study.
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ItemA Light at the End of the Tunnel: The Experiences of Members of a Therapeutic Community Choir for People Living with Dementia and their Care-Partners who ‘Went Online’ During the COVID-19 Pandemic – an Arts-Based Phenomenological Study(GAMUT - Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre (NORCE & University of Bergen), 2023)Background: This paper presents the results of an arts-based, phenomenological research project in which members of a therapeutic community choir for people living with dementia and their family and friends reflected on their experiences of singing together pre and post the transition to online sessions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Eleven choir members (three living with dementia and eight family care-partners) participated in interviews about their experience of the choir and its transition to an online format during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews were conducted in either a traditional, semi-structured interview format, or as a collaborative songwriting session, and participants were able to choose the format that they preferred. Transcripts of the interviews and songs that were composed were analysed using an adapted Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and arts-based research method. Participants verified key themes that emerged from the analysis, which formed the basis of an 18-part Song Cycle, which included two original songs by participants, and 16 songs composed by the first author. Results: Eighteen sub-themes were generated from the analysis, which are expressed as songs and grouped into four overarching themes or ‘Movements’: i) the dementia experience; ii) the choir experience; iii) the COVID-19 experience; and iv) the virtual experience. The songs depict how participants experienced each of the overarching themes, and revealed challenges, new opportunities and resilience. Conclusion: Navigating COVID-19 while living with or caring for someone with dementia was challenging. The virtual choir format was acceptable, provided relief from the stress of COVID-19, and kept members connected, however, there were technological limitations that made the experience challenging at times.
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ItemTherapeutic Choirs for Families Living with Dementia: A Phenomenological Study(ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2023-01-02)This paper seeks to represent the perspectives of community-dwelling people who are living with dementia and their family care-partners, who participated community-based, therapeutic choirs that were formed as part of the Remini-Sing project. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze data from interviews with fourteen participants (7 people living with dementia [4 women, mean age = 82] and 7 care-partners [5 women, mean age = 68]). Eight themes identified the perceived benefits of choir singing and elements of the choirs and research project more broadly that influenced participation. Findings support past research that suggests choir singing is an accessible and enjoyable activity that can support the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia and their family care-partners. Challenges with recruitment and sustainability of programs post-research are highlighted.
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ItemHow health-focused choirs adapted to the virtual world during the COVID-19 pandemic - An international survey(PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 2023-02)The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the operation of choirs around the world due to the high-risk nature of group singing for disease transmission. These risks are even greater for people living with health conditions. This paper presents the results of an international, cross-sectional survey that asked health-focused choir facilitators if and how they adapted their choir to due to COVID-19 restrictions and the high-risk of transmission during group singing. Participants were recruited through searches of choir and music therapy networks, social media, and snowballing sampling methods. The anonymous online survey consisted of 17 multiple choice and 7 short answer questions. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Sixty-five surveys were commenced (50 completed). Many respondents (63 %) took their choirs online, and neurological conditions were the most common populations served. Format and methods of online choirs are described, as are benefits and challenges of online choirs. Several respondents indicated they would continue online post-COVID-19 restrictions. Online choirs were seen as feasible and beneficial, despite challenges. Recommendations regarding facilitator skills, technology set up, accessibility and session structure for online facilitation of health-focused choirs are provided.
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ItemHow Singing can Help People With Dementia and Their Family Care-Partners: A Mixed Studies Systematic Review With Narrative Synthesis, Thematic Synthesis, and Meta-Integration(FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, 2021-10-11)Background: Recent research on the efficacy of music-based interventions for people with dementia have focused on specific outcomes and methods, and singing has been noted as a particularly beneficial activity. However, due to heterogeneity of research methods, there is a need to synthesise the findings of both quantitative and qualitative research in order to better understand both the impact and potential mechanisms of singing for people in this population. Method: This systematic review included quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies, and analysed these using a systematic mixed-studies synthesis (with a results-based convergent approach). Quantitative and qualitative data were initially synthesised using a narrative synthesis and thematic synthesis method, respectively, before a final meta-integration method was used to synthesise common themes across the two data forms. Results: Electronic and hand search strategies revealed 1,815 relevant studies, 40 of which met the full eligibility criteria. Narrative synthesis of quantitative data revealed six key outcome areas (quality of life; psychological well-being; cognition; engagement; activities of daily living; care-partner well-being), and thematic synthesis of qualitative data generated seven themes relating to the impact and mechanisms of singing (pragmatic elements; social benefits; mood; identity; memory; flow-on effects; and relationships). Meta-integration identified four key areas relating to the impact and mechanisms of singing for people with dementia and care-partners: psychological well-being, quality of life, cognition, and care-partner well-being. Conclusion: Results from the syntheses suggest that singing can positively impact the lives of people with dementia and their care-partners, although due to heterogeneity of study design and outcome measures, it is difficult to draw conclusions based on quantitative data alone. Qualitative data provides further context and insights from participant perspectives, and when integrated with quantitative data, contextual factors that may influence the benefits that participants experience from singing are revealed.
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ItemMaking Qualitative Interviews in Music Therapy Research More Accessible for Participants Living With Dementia - Reflections on Development and Implementation of Interview Guidelines(SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC, 2021-09-14)Purpose. This paper reports findings from a project that sought to develop accessible guidelines for including people with dementia in qualitative interviews in a music therapy study, based on experience from people previously involved in qualitative music therapy research. Method. People with previous experience of qualitative music therapy research were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews about how the interview process could be made more accessible. Participants included four family-caregivers and three music therapy-researchers. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings were used to develop guidelines for a subsequent study; reflections on the implementation of these guidelines are provided. Results. Five themes were identified: (a) motivators and barriers to participating in interviews; (b) pragmatic elements that impact interview participation; (c) relationship dynamics may impact the interview; (d) familiarity fosters comfort, enables preparation and support and (e) broader considerations for accessible research design. Conclusions. Themes identified align with reports from the extant literature. Reflections on implementation of the guidelines reveal the need for more clarity around the ethics of building rapport in qualitative research. Implications about future uses of the guidelines, including the use of music as a research tool are discussed.
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ItemToward a theory-based specification of non-pharmacological treatments in aging and dementia: Focused reviews and methodological recommendations(Elsevier, 2021-02-01)INTRODUCTION: Non-pharmacological treatments (NPTs) have the potential to improve meaningful outcomes for older people at risk of, or living with dementia, but research often lacks methodological rigor and continues to produce mixed results. METHODS: In the current position paper, experts in NPT research have specified treatment targets, aims and ingredients using an umbrella framework, the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System. RESULTS: Experts provided a snapshot and an authoritative summary of the evidence for different NPTs based on the best synthesis efforts, identified main gaps in knowledge and relevant barriers, and provided directions for future research. Experts in trial methodology provide best practice principles and recommendations for those working in this area, underscoring the importance of pre-specified protocols. DISCUSSION: We conclude that the evidence strongly supports various NPTs in relation to their primary targets, and discuss opportunities and challenges associated with a unifying theoretical framework to guide future efforts in this area.