Feasibility Pilot of the Power of Music in Herts Dementia Care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Power of Music - Music in Herts Dementia Care: Staff-Led Music Interventions using therapeutic music techniques for People Living with Dementia in Care Homes.
IRAS ID
361433
Contact name
Idil Hassan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Hertfordshire County Council
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
Individuals living with dementia in residential care settings frequently experience anxiety, restlessness, and social isolation (Regier and Gitlin, 2016). Evidence suggests that personalised music interventions can enhance mood, reduce agitation, and foster social engagement (Azevedo et al, 2021). However, the employment of qualified music therapists is often financially prohibitive and logistically unfeasible across all care homes.
This feasibility pilot aims to evaluate a training programme in which qualified music therapists equip care-home staff with simple, evidence-based therapeutic music techniques. These techniques include selecting personally meaningful songs, using rhythm to support daily activities, and improvising musical interactions. The goal is to enable staff to integrate music into routine care practices such as mealtimes, personal care, and small group activities.
Over a 12-week period, the study will:
• Train approximately 30 nominated care staff through a three-day, in-person workshop.
• Support staff in delivering weekly 30-minute music sessions (both group and one-to-one).
• Assess feasibility (integration into daily routines), acceptability (staff and resident enjoyment), and preliminary outcomes (resident mood, agitation, social engagement, and quality of life).Data collection will include:
• DEMQOL-CH quality-of-life assessments at baseline, six weeks, and twelve weeks.
• Weekly wellbeing checklists completed by staff.
• Observational engagement data using validated tools.
• Staff feedback via skills checklists, interviews, and focus groups.
• Ethnographic case studies in 3–4 homes involving shadowing and informal interviews.If successful, this model may offer a scalable and cost-effective approach to embedding therapeutic music practices within dementia care settings across Hertfordshire and beyond.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
25/WA/0340
Date of REC Opinion
24 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion