Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Jul 1;24(7):E611-616.
doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2022.611.

Leveraging Cross-Campus Expertise to Contribute to Dementia Care Through Music

Affiliations

Leveraging Cross-Campus Expertise to Contribute to Dementia Care Through Music

Mary Perkinson et al. AMA J Ethics. .

Abstract

While there is evidence of the benefits of music for health and wellness, current US clinical practice does not commonly incorporate arts-based interventions, one drawback of which appears to be limited communication among practitioners within the arts, sciences, and health professions fields. This article shares a story of a 2-year multidisciplinary music in medicine program that aims to inspire joy and connection among people with dementia through interactive, creative musical experiences. The authors discuss the program from conception to pilot, canvass adaptations made to adhere to COVID-19 protocols, illuminate common themes of flexibility and curiosity, and share cross-campus, multidisciplinary collaboration experiences that guided the work.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

The author(s) had no conflicts of interest to disclose.

References

    1. Fraser H, Bungay H, Munn-Giddings C. The value of the use of participatory arts activities in residential care settings to enhance the well-being and quality of life of older people: a rapid review of the literature. Arts Health. 2014;6(3):266–278.
    1. Vella-Burrows T Carers Create 2015–2017: report of activities and evaluation of effect. Canterbury Christ Church University; 2017. Accessed August 1, 2021. https://www.artshealthresources.org.uk/docs/carers-create-2015-2017-repo...
    1. Redmond M, Sumner RC, Crone DM, Hughes S. “Light in dark places”: exploring qualitative data from a longitudinal study using creative arts as a form of social prescribing. Arts Health. 2019;11(3):232–245. - PubMed
    1. Sung HC, Lee WL, Li TL, Watson R. A group music intervention using percussion instruments with familiar music to reduce anxiety and agitation of institutionalized older adults with dementia. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2012;27(6):621–627. - PubMed
    1. Osman SE, Tischler V, Schneider J. “Singing for the brain”: a qualitative study exploring the health and well-being benefits of singing for people with dementia and their careers. Dementia. 2016;15(6):1326–1339. - PMC - PubMed