Other Titles
The Impact of Music Experience Sessions on Participants With Agitation Related to Dementia in a PACE Program [Title Slide]
Abstract
Problem Statement: As dementia progresses, a person can experience behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). There are numerous ways BPSD can affect people with dementia (PWD), caregivers, and society, causing a negative impact on quality of life, stress, caregiver burnout, and economic stability for society (Lorusso & Bosch, 2018; Maseda et al., 2018).
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to determine if the intervention would decrease episodes of BPSD without using pharmacological interventions.
Methods: The intervention was performed for an eight-week time frame were facilitated with participants with a known history of dementia.
Analysis: The Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) short form was completed by a dedicated certified nursing assistant (CNA) prior to the start of the intervention. Subsequent CMAIs were completed four weeks from initiation of the intervention, and after the last intervention session. In summary, the CMAI scores over three-time points during the implementation of the intervention showed a significant improvement in three of the four factors of the CMAI form.
Implications for Practice: The aging American population has soared in numbers over the past twenty years. As the size of the United States population age 65 and older continues to increase, the numbers of Americans with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia will grow. By 2050, the number of people in the United States with Alzheimer's disease will reach 12.7 million (Alzheimer's Association, 2021). This disease will also have a significant monetary impact on the nation. Pharmacological approaches are often the first line of treatment professionals seek when a patient experiences BPSD. There are no drugs specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat behavioral and psychiatric symptoms that may develop in the moderate and severe stages of dementia (Alzheimer's Association, 2021). Instead, many providers rely on antipsychotic medications to treat BPSD. Antipsychotic drugs are associated with an increased risk of serious injuries from falls, stroke, and death. Addressing BPSD effects the population and system levels. If there are fewer episodes of BPSD, staff can be free to care for more participants at a time. Implementing this intervention may prevent or reduce episodes of BPSD, improve quality of life, and promote a positive milieu.
Notes
References:
Alzheimer’s Association. (2021). 2021 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures, Special report: Race, ethnicity, and Alzheimer’s in America. https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf
Gonzalez, L. (2017). A focus on the program of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE). Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 29(5), 475-490. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2017.1281092
Isaac, V., Kuot, A., Hamiduzzaman, M., Strivens, E., & Greenhill, J. (2021). The outcome of a person-centered, non-pharmacological intervention in reducing agitation in residents with dementia in Australian rural nursing homes. BMC Geriatrics, 21(193), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02151-8
Lorusso, L. N., & Bosch, S. J. (2018, June). Impact of multisensory environments on behavior for people with dementia: A systematic literature review. The Gerontologist, 58(3), 168-179. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw168
Maseda, A., Cibeira, N., Lorenzo-Lopez, L., Gonzalez-Abraldes, I., Bujan, A., Labra, C. D., & Millan-Calenti, J. C. (2018). Multisensory stimulation and individualized music sessions on older adults with severe dementia: Effects on mood, behavior, and biomedical parameters. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 63(4), 1415-1425. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-180109
Parajuli, D. R., Kuot, A., Hamiduzzaman, M., Gladman, J., & Isaac, V. (2021). Person-centered. non-pharmacological intervention in reducing psychotropic medications use among residents with dementia in Australian rural aged care. BMC Psychiatry, 21(36), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-03033-w
Sigma Membership
Alpha Xi
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice
Keywords:
Public and Community Health, Dementia, Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia, BPSD, Music
Recommended Citation
Redd, Amy; Taylor, Kimberly; and Jones, Kate, "The Impact of Music Experience Sessions on Participants With Agitation Related to Dementia" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 231.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/231
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
The Impact of Music Experience Sessions on Participants With Agitation Related to Dementia
Seattle, Washington, USA
Problem Statement: As dementia progresses, a person can experience behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). There are numerous ways BPSD can affect people with dementia (PWD), caregivers, and society, causing a negative impact on quality of life, stress, caregiver burnout, and economic stability for society (Lorusso & Bosch, 2018; Maseda et al., 2018).
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to determine if the intervention would decrease episodes of BPSD without using pharmacological interventions.
Methods: The intervention was performed for an eight-week time frame were facilitated with participants with a known history of dementia.
Analysis: The Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) short form was completed by a dedicated certified nursing assistant (CNA) prior to the start of the intervention. Subsequent CMAIs were completed four weeks from initiation of the intervention, and after the last intervention session. In summary, the CMAI scores over three-time points during the implementation of the intervention showed a significant improvement in three of the four factors of the CMAI form.
Implications for Practice: The aging American population has soared in numbers over the past twenty years. As the size of the United States population age 65 and older continues to increase, the numbers of Americans with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia will grow. By 2050, the number of people in the United States with Alzheimer's disease will reach 12.7 million (Alzheimer's Association, 2021). This disease will also have a significant monetary impact on the nation. Pharmacological approaches are often the first line of treatment professionals seek when a patient experiences BPSD. There are no drugs specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat behavioral and psychiatric symptoms that may develop in the moderate and severe stages of dementia (Alzheimer's Association, 2021). Instead, many providers rely on antipsychotic medications to treat BPSD. Antipsychotic drugs are associated with an increased risk of serious injuries from falls, stroke, and death. Addressing BPSD effects the population and system levels. If there are fewer episodes of BPSD, staff can be free to care for more participants at a time. Implementing this intervention may prevent or reduce episodes of BPSD, improve quality of life, and promote a positive milieu.
Description
Participants can expect to learn alternative positive approaches to care for persons with dementia.