Comparing two caregiver-delivered music listening interventions for community-dwelling people with dementia: A randomised controlled crossover pilot trial

Objectives: To facilitate access to music-based interventions (MBIs) for people with dementia in the community, it is necessary to develop MBIs that can be used by people with dementia and their informal caregivers at home. In this pilot trial, we aimed to establish whether using slow and fast music of positive valence in a caregiver-delivered MBI results in differential effects. Methods: 17 person-with-dementia-and-caregiver dyads were randomised. Dyads underwent 6-week periods of two music listening interventions, 'MBI A' (consisting of fast, positively valenced music) and 'MBI B' (slow, positively valenced music). The order of these was crossed-over. Half of the dyads also completed a control intervention (6-week care-as-usual). People with dementia listened on tablets or CDs provided. Quantitative assessments included person with dementia outcomes (cognition, well-being, quality of life) and caregiver-reported outcomes (behavioural and psychiatric symptom severity and related distress). Dyads' descriptions of experiences were also recorded. Results: MBI A was associated with superior delayed recall compared to MBI B (MBI A- B: 1.04 [95% CI: 0.16, 1.92], p = .028, Hedge's gav = 0.70). Dyads' descriptions highlight 'in-the-moment' effects of the MBIs. Positive effects of MBI A included heightened mood and movement (e.g. clapping), MBI B was associated with relaxation. Conclusions: The positive effect of MBI A on delayed recall performance suggests that fast, positively valenced music may be explored further to support cognition in people with dementia. Dyads' reports underline the value of music listening to the momentary well-being of people with dementia.