Chu Hsin, Yang Chyn-Yng, Lin Yu, Ou Keng-Liang, Lee Tso-Ying, O'Brien Anthony Paul, Chou Kuei-Ru
1Institute of Aerospace and Undersea Medicine, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Biol Res Nurs. 2014 Apr;16(2):209-17. doi: 10.1177/1099800413485410. Epub 2013 May 2.
The aims of this study were to determine the effectiveness of group music therapy for improving depression and delaying the deterioration of cognitive functions in elderly persons with dementia.
The study had a prospective, parallel-group design with permuted-block randomization. Older persons with dementia (N = 104) were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental group received 12 sessions of group music therapy (two 30-min sessions per week for 6 weeks), and the control group received usual care. Data were collected 4 times: (1) 1 week before the intervention, (2) the 6th session of the intervention, (3) the 12th session of the intervention, and (4) 1 month after the final session.
Group music therapy reduced depression in persons with dementia. Improvements in depression occurred immediately after music therapy and were apparent throughout the course of therapy. The cortisol level did not significantly decrease after the group music therapy. Cognitive function significantly improved slightly at the 6th session, the 12th session, and 1 month after the sessions ended; in particular, short-term recall function improved. The group music therapy intervention had the greatest impact in subjects with mild and moderate dementia.
The group music intervention is a noninvasive and inexpensive therapy that appeared to reduce elders' depression. It also delayed the deterioration of cognitive functions, particularly short-term recall function. Group music therapy may be an appropriate intervention among elderly persons with mild and moderate dementia.
本研究旨在确定团体音乐疗法对改善痴呆老年人抑郁症状及延缓认知功能衰退的有效性。
本研究采用前瞻性平行组设计及置换区组随机化。104名痴呆老年人被随机分配至实验组或对照组。实验组接受12次团体音乐疗法（每周两次，每次30分钟，共6周），对照组接受常规护理。数据收集4次：（1）干预前1周；（2）干预第6次时；（3）干预第12次时；（4）最后一次干预结束后1个月。
团体音乐疗法减轻了痴呆患者的抑郁症状。音乐疗法后抑郁症状立即改善，并在整个治疗过程中持续显现。团体音乐疗法后皮质醇水平未显著降低。认知功能在第6次、第12次干预时及干预结束后1个月有轻微显著改善；尤其是短期记忆功能得到改善。团体音乐疗法干预对轻度和中度痴呆患者影响最大。
团体音乐干预是一种无创且廉价的疗法，似乎能减轻老年人的抑郁症状。它还延缓了认知功能衰退，尤其是短期记忆功能。团体音乐疗法可能是轻度和中度痴呆老年人的一种合适干预措施。
