Duet playing in dementia care: a new therapeutic music technology

Abstract

Purpose

Supporting the relational worlds of people living with dementia, especially the spousal dyad, is a growing focus in dementia care as is advancing the therapeutic use of music in dementia care. This paper describes a mixed-methods, multi-phase, iterative research study designed to develop the Music Memory Makers (MMM) Duet System, a novel therapeutic music technology, that allows non-musicians to play a personalized repertoire of songs arranged as duets.

Methods

Following a pilot phase to iteratively assess and refine the MMM Duet System for recreational and therapeutic purposes, multiple sources of data were used to investigate five older spousal dyads’ experiences with the system, two couples living with dementia and three who were not. We assessed perceptions of task difficulty, joint agency, and enjoyment as well as therapeutic benefits associated with enhancing the spousal relationship and sense of couplehood.

Results

Findings suggest playing meaningful songs together is an enjoyable interactive activity that prompts musical reminiscence, involves joint agency, and supports relationship continuity within a relational, positive approach to dementia care. All couples mastered the task, none evaluated it as “very challenging,” and positive couple interactions were evoked, commonly before and after playing the duets.

Conclusions

The MMM Duet System is recommended for further research and development as an innovative way to support couples living with dementia with commercial implications, and as a new music technology suitable for use as a research tool.

Implications For Rehabilitation

• Music making is an engaging, rewarding activity promoting social bonding and wellbeing that with technology innovation, can be extended to non-musicians and people with differing skills, abilities, and preferences.

• The MMM Duet System is a promising new music technology that supports the relationship of people living with dementia and their spousal caregivers by encouraging relationship continuity and sense of couplehood. Supporting caregivers enables people with dementia to remain longer in their homes and communities.

• Practical suggestions are offered to develop music technology suitable for use by older adults and people living with dementia, e.g., involving participants who live with dementia, assembling interdisciplinary research teams, adopting iterative, participant-focused approach.

Keywords:

• Music technology
• dyad music-making
• dementia care
• caregiver support
• relationship continuity
• joint agency
• musical reminiscence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation; Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation

Notes on contributors

Jennifer Nicol

Dr. Jennifer Nicol, Processes that restore or maintain wellbeing are well represented in counselling psychology research; however, a unique example exists in the work of Dr Nicol, a Canadian counselling psychologist and music therapist. Dr Nicol’s research is driven by two questions: How does music enhance the actions of everyday life as negotiated across varied circumstances and populations; and secondly, how do spontaneous everyday uses of music extend understanding about coping, health, and wellbeing?

Janeen Loehr

Dr Janeen Loehr leads the BrAIn Lab (janeenloehr.com) where responsible research exploration and innovative experimental design are used to understand human action and agency in the social environment (e.g., how people coordinate their actions with others when having a conversation or playing in a musical ensemble). Under current study are the behaviours and brain signals that cause people to experience joint agency, as well as how joint agency influences group cohesiveness, task performance, and self-agency.

Justin Christensen

Dr. Justin Christensen, Currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate with the Music Mind Machine Research Centre, University of Sheffield, England, Dr Christensen investigates the development of musical tools for people living with dementia and researches the benefits for people living with dementia to engage and coordinate with family members when performing meaningful music together.

Jennifer Lang

Dr. Jennifer Lang’s research examines engagement and agency in music education programs, including informal music learning in a variety of educational contexts, music creation in the classroom, and intergenerational singing programs.

Shelley Peacock

Dr Shelley Peacock’s interests and research are focused on supporting older adult persons living and dying with dementia and their family carers. A current project involves a collaborative pan-Canadian and Scottish initiative to develop a Dementia Champions educational program for acute healthcare professionals.