Music therapy could offer an alternative to medication for distress in dementia patients, with NHS trials reporting improvements in wellbeing and reduced agitation.
The MELODIC music therapy manual was piloted on two NHS dementia wards, where therapists delivered clinical sessions and developed personalised music care plans.
Led by Anglia Ruskin University and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, the study involved 49 healthcare staff, patients and families in co-designing the approach.
Results showed modest improvements in quality of life, alongside reductions in distress and disruptive behaviour often seen on inpatient wards.
The therapy involves trained professionals working one-to-one with patients to select music linked to personal memories. This is intended to reduce distress without using psychotropic medication, which alters mood and behaviour.
Dr Ben Underwood, research and development director and honorary consultant psychiatrist at CPFT, said: “Some people with dementia can get so confused and distressed that we need to admit them to hospital to keep them safe. It can be difficult to manage distress in a ward environment and hard for patients, families and staff.
“I am very excited that it may now be possible for NHS staff to improve their experience on dementia wards using the power of music, and we look forward to working with ARU to develop this further.”
The MELODIC approach costs around £2,025 per month for a therapist, with a one-off equipment cost of £400.
Naomi Thompson, lead author and researcher at the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, said: “People with dementia on inpatient mental health wards are often experiencing very high levels of distress, and staff are under immense pressure to manage this in ways that are safe and compassionate.
“Our study yielded promising results and importantly showed that the MELODIC tool can be used effectively in these highly complex settings, giving an alternative option to current ways of managing severe distress, such as psychotropic medication.”
