Efficacy of music therapy treatment based on cycles of sessions: A randomised controlled trial
Abstract
We undertook a randomised controlled trial to assess whether a music therapy (MT) scheme of administration, including three working cycles of one month spaced out by one month of no treatment, is effective to reduce behavioural disturbances in severely demented patients. Sixty persons with severe dementia (30 in the experimental and 30 in the control group) were enrolled. Baseline multidimensional assessment included demographics, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Barthel Index and Neuropsychiatry Inventory (NPI) for all patients. All the patients of the experimental and control groups received standard care (educational and entertainment activities). In addition, the experimental group received three cycles of 12 active MT sessions each, three times a week. Each 30-min session included a group of three patients. Every cycle of treatment was followed by one month of wash-out. At the end of this study, MT treatment resulted to be more effective than standard care to reduce behavioural disorders. We observed a significant reduction over time in the NPI global scores in both groups (F(7,357) = 9.06, p < 0.001) and a significant difference between groups (F(1,51) = 4.84, p < 0.05) due to a higher reduction of behavioural disturbances in the experimental group at the end of the treatment (Cohen's d = 0.63). The analysis of single NPI items shows that delusions, agitation and apathy significantly improved in the experimental, but not in the control group. This study suggests the effectiveness of MT approach with working cycles in reducing behavioural disorders of severely demented patients.
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Several studies reported the efficacy of music to treat BPSD.
“Several studies reported the efficacy of music to treat BPSD (208–213), to enhance communications, relational processes and participation (199, 214–216), and to maintain or increase cognitive functions (217–222).”
From The Multidisciplinary Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. A Narrative Review of Non-Pharmacological Treatment (2018) · cites this paper as [208]
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- Authors
- Raglio, A., Bellelli, G., Traficante, D., Gianotti, M., Ubezio, M. C., Gentile, S., Villani, D., & Trabucchi, M.
- Affiliations
- Gruppo di Ricerca Geriatrica (IT)
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (IT)
- University of Rome Tor Vergata (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Raglio, A.
- Venue
- Aging & Mental Health
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2010-11
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 900-904
- ISSN
- 1360-7863 (ISSN-L)
- 1364-6915
- OpenAlex
- W2159443014
- Cited by
- 160
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 16
- FWCI
- 10.88
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Aging & Mental Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Cineca Institutional Research Information System (Tor Vergata University) (submittedVersion)
- BOA (University of Milano-Bicocca) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Music Therapy and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Conservation › Art Therapy and Mental Health
- Keywords
- music therapy, advanced dementia, behavioral problems, neuropsychiatric symptoms, treatment cycles, delusions, agitation, apathy, group therapy, washout period
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Mental Disorders, Dementia, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Status Schedule, Music Therapy, Neuropsychological Tests, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Severity of Illness Index, Treatment Outcome
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