PUMA: Person-centred Music for care home residents with dementia, v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Person-centred Use of Music in residents living with dementia and Associated changes in behaviour in care homes (PUMA) (NIHR164000)
IRAS ID
359905
Contact name
Daniel Hind
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
69127, CPMS
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
We want to find out whether using personalised music as part of everyday care can help people living with dementia in care homes feel less distressed and more engaged, and whether it supports staff in their work.
This study will take place in 58 care homes across the UK. In half of the homes (29), a small number of care staff “champions” will be trained to provide person-centred care using the Focussed Intervention Training and Support (FITS) model. This training will include how to identify each resident’s preferred music, create personalised playlists, and use music at suitable times to support wellbeing. Music could be played from a playlist, sung by staff, or shared in other ways. Around seven residents with dementia will be involved in each care home.
The other 29 homes will continue with their usual care and will not receive music training during the study.
We will collect information from staff before and after the music training, including their views on using music and any changes they notice in residents. We will also look at whether music reduces distress and helps residents take part in activities. At the end of the study, we will talk to care staff and managers to understand their experiences of using personalised music and any challenges they faced.
The results will help us understand whether training staff to use personalised music can improve quality of life for residents with dementia and support staff in providing care without relying on medication.
This study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and sponsored by Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/YH/0210
Date of REC Opinion
16 Oct 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion