Author Jacqueline Craig is a staff nurse at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust.
Abstract Craig J (2014) Music therapy to reduce agitation in dementia. Nursing Times, no: 32/33, 12-15. Background Music therapy is a intervention that non-pharmacological aims to increase emotional wellbeing through cognitive stimulation and social interaction.
Aim and method l aimed to investigate the efficacy of group music therapy to reduce agitation in people with dementia. To this end, I carried out a systematic review of the literature.
Results Eight articles show that music therapy is feasible for use with people with all stages of dementia. The best results involved using familiar music and a qualified group music therapist, with the be optimum frequency of intervention being sa two to three times a week for 30-50 minutes. Control interventions such th as reading and recreational activities also reduced agitation.