Melbourne Conservatorium of Music - Research Publications

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    Empowering Caregivers of People Living with Dementia to Use Music Therapeutically at Home: Design Opportunities
    Carrasco, R ; Baker, FA ; Bukowska, AA ; Clark, IN ; Flynn, LM ; McMahon, K ; Odell-Miller, H ; Stensaeth, K ; Tamplin, J ; Sousa, TV ; Waycott, J ; Wosch, T (ACM, 2020-12-02)
    Human-computer interaction researchers have explored how to design technologies to support people with dementia (PwD) and their caregivers, but limited attention has been given to how to facilitate music therapy in dementia care. The use of music to help manage the symptoms of dementia is often guided by a music therapist who adapts the intervention to respond to the changing needs of the person living with dementia. However, as the incidence of dementia increases worldwide, individualised therapy programs are less feasible, making it valuable to consider technology-based approaches. In this paper, we analyze data from case studies of home-based music therapy training interventions with two families. The findings show that embodied interactions supported the therapist in responding to the needs of the PwD and built an empathic environment that empowered the caregivers' learning. We discuss opportunities and challenges for designing technologies that support family caregivers' therapy-informed music use in dementia care.
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    Efficacy of Parkinsong Groups for improving Communication and Wellbeing in Parkinson's Disease
    Tamplin, J ; Vogel, A ; Marigliani, C ; Baker, FA ; Davidson, J ; Morris, ME ; Mercadal-Brotons, M ; Clements-Cortes, A (World Federation of Music Therapy, 2017)
    Communication impairment is one of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, significantly impacting quality of life (Miller, 2012). Speech characteristics may include a soft, monotone, breathy or hoarse voice quality, imprecise articulation, dysprosody and dysfluency (Skodda et al., 2013). These characteristics, combined with reduced nonverbal communication, cognitive-linguistic impairment and poor self-perception of speech, make communication difficult and lead to self-consciousness, reduced likelihood to participate in conversation, and the avoidance of social interaction that requires speaking. Communication difficulties can compound issues of depression and related social isolation (Miller et al., 2006).
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    Musical memories: Connecting people with dementia and their caregivers through song.
    Clark, I ; Tamplin, J ; Lee, J ; Baker, F ; Mercadal-Brotons, M ; Clements-Cortes, A (World Federation of Music Therapy, 2017)
    Active music participation may offer benefits for people with dementia (PWD) and their family care givers (FCG) living in the community (Baird & Samson, 2015). For the PWD, this capacity to respond to music-making activities, such as singing, may facilitate reminiscence and successful social engagement (Vanstone & Cuddy, 2010). As a consequence, FCG may experience meaningful and satisfying connection with their loved one (Baker, Grocke & Pachana, 2012). Receptive music listening interventions may also assist with the management of challenging symptoms of dementia, such as agitation and anxiety, offering FCG strategies to use in the home.