A leading dementia charity is seeking volunteers to take part in a study to explore the role of music as therapy.
Alzheimer’s Research UK is looking to recruit 1000 volunteers to help investigate whether personalised music listening could improve symptoms and behaviour.
The research could lead to personalised music being integrated into standard dementia care.
The charity has teamed up with national campaign Music for Dementia to raise awareness of the study.
Alzheimer’s Research UK will supply playlists from staff, supporters and scientists which will be streamed 24 hours a day, seven days a week on online radio station, m4dradio.com.
Meanwhile, the charities will share contributors’ stories through social media posts.
Hilary Evans, CEO of Alzheimer’s Research UK who has curated a playlist for Music for Dementia said:
“Music plays a very important role in many people’s lives.
“Music can connect people, stir emotions, trigger memories and be a source of comfort or inspiration.
“Like many people, I have personal experience of dementia in my family and these music choices reflect these experiences.
“Dementia stands out as a condition that carries an enormous impact but is met by a desperate lack of effective treatments, and research offers the best hope for changing this.”
Involvement in the study will take up to three months and will be conducted entirely online.
Volunteers must either have dementia or be a carer of someone with the condition.
Tim Parry, Director of Alzheimer’s Research UK said:
“Without volunteers, we will not be able to make the progress in research that people with dementia and their loved ones deserve.
“Volunteering for dementia research can be extremely rewarding and is vital for helping get important studies off the ground.
“To sign up and register an interest in taking part in the studies, ring Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Dementia Research Infoline on 0300 111 5111 or visit the Join Dementia Research website.”