An exploratory study of the impact of group singing activities on lucidity, energy, focus, mood and relaxation for persons with dementia and their caregivers

Abstract

BackgroundIt is known that persons with dementia (PWD) suffer a variety of difficulties, with increased agitation as well as lowered mood, focus and lucidity being amongst their greatest challenges. Caregivers are also affected and report increased stress levels, as well as lower energy, mood and focus. The aim of the current study was to explore whether engagement in a singing program could result in improvement in these variables for both PWD and Caregivers.MethodsStage 1 investigated the impact of a structured singing session, with a verbal quiz functioning as a control activity. Participants were from both community and residential care contexts, the PWD having a diagnosis of mild or mod..