Sustaining Access to Safe and Effective Music-Experiences in Dementia Care Through Music Therapy Leadership and Innovative Practice.
Tracks
Stream One
| Saturday, October 18, 2025 |
| 11:30 AM - 11:50 AM |
| Centre Stage 1 |
Overview
Hayley Antipas
Speaker
Hayley Antipas
Attuned Health / University Of Melbourne
Sustaining Access to Safe and Effective Music-Experiences in Dementia Care Through Music Therapy Leadership and Innovative Practice.
Abstract
Background: While models of residential aged care (RAC) differ around the world, there is a need for better ways to support people with dementia in the RAC setting. Indirect music therapy is evolving as a sustainable practice to meet population needs in dementia care. Frontline care staff may be challenged by their work demands and indirect music therapy may be an accessible approach. Yet, a need to best-practice oversite exists to maintain safety and governance.
Method: Initially a cross-sectional survey aimed to understand how caregivers utilise music in dementia care, with correlation analysis to determine factors influencing practice. Following, a 3-arm cluster randomised feasibility trial compared the use of indirect music therapy, with and without music therapy support with usual care at six RAC facilities over 8-weeks. Care-staff and residents were recruited with quantitative (NPI-NH, PSS-10, MJS, CCuMS and AES) and qualitative (focus group and individual interviews) data used to explore the feasibility of the trial design and preliminary treatment effects.
Results: Caregivers already use music regularly, yet findings suggest their use may be more generalised and not person-directed. While, indirect music therapy may enhance resident wellbeing, it presents challenges to care-staff to implement in the complex work environment. Nonethless, the approach was acceptable. Findings will be presented highlighting intervention acceptability, usage patterns, and preliminary evidence of the impact on residents’ neuropsychiatric symptoms and care-staff wellbeing.
Discussion/Conclusion: Conducting research in RAC involves complex challenges, particularly the need for meaningful, sustained buy-in from staff at all levels to enable direct care staff to translate knowledge into practice. While the involvement of a music therapist supported knowledge translation, strong organisational support is still required. Recommendations for future research and practice will be discussed to ensure meaningful use of music in dementia care can be adopted in practice.
Method: Initially a cross-sectional survey aimed to understand how caregivers utilise music in dementia care, with correlation analysis to determine factors influencing practice. Following, a 3-arm cluster randomised feasibility trial compared the use of indirect music therapy, with and without music therapy support with usual care at six RAC facilities over 8-weeks. Care-staff and residents were recruited with quantitative (NPI-NH, PSS-10, MJS, CCuMS and AES) and qualitative (focus group and individual interviews) data used to explore the feasibility of the trial design and preliminary treatment effects.
Results: Caregivers already use music regularly, yet findings suggest their use may be more generalised and not person-directed. While, indirect music therapy may enhance resident wellbeing, it presents challenges to care-staff to implement in the complex work environment. Nonethless, the approach was acceptable. Findings will be presented highlighting intervention acceptability, usage patterns, and preliminary evidence of the impact on residents’ neuropsychiatric symptoms and care-staff wellbeing.
Discussion/Conclusion: Conducting research in RAC involves complex challenges, particularly the need for meaningful, sustained buy-in from staff at all levels to enable direct care staff to translate knowledge into practice. While the involvement of a music therapist supported knowledge translation, strong organisational support is still required. Recommendations for future research and practice will be discussed to ensure meaningful use of music in dementia care can be adopted in practice.
Biography
Hayley is a PhD candidate and music therapist committed to advancing safe and effective use of music in dementia care. She has presented her research and practice at national and international conferences, is a published author, regularly invited to speak at industry forums, and a leader in indirect music therapy.
