Music Therapy Assessment for Older Adults: Descriptive Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this inquiry was to test the new 'Music Therapy Assessment for Older Adults' (MTAOA) tool in Canada and the United States, and to establish its content and predictive utility.

Methods: A pilot study using an explanatory descriptive methods design was chosen; n = 18 music therapists completed an online survey about their experiences in administering the assessment and 50% (n = 9) were invited for a follow-up interview.

Results: The results indicated that the MTAOA was a beneficial assessment tool that contained relevant domains (89%) to develop a music therapy treatment plan; 89% of music therapists also noted they would continue to use and recommend the MTAOA. The data produced beneficial information that were used to revise the assessment form to ensure inclusive language and reduce any potential inherent or unconscious biases.

Conclusions: Future research is needed to assess the utility of the revised MTAOA in other global regions where music therapists work with older adults.

Keywords: assessment; domains of health; music therapy; older adults; survey.