Paste Introduction
Interpersonal relationships play a significant role in the daily lives of people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The quality of relationships can progressively worsen due to the inevitable cognitive changes that result from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In an effort to combat this, research led by Sara Eldiry Osman, Victoria Tischler, Justine Schneider (2016) and by Ayelet Dassa and Dorit Amir (2014) explores the benefits of group singing activities as a way to facilitate the continuation of interpersonal relationships in later years. The researchers found several benefits that promotes the overall health and well-being of people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Background
Past research studies have looked at the importance of interpersonal relationships on older adults. However, emerging areas of research are now looking at the importance and the influence of interpersonal relationships on the health and well-being of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Research led by Sara Eldiry Osman, Victoria Tischler, and Justine Schneider (2016) looks at the effectiveness of a program entitled ‘Singing for the Brain’ that uses singing activities as a way to improve health outcomes and quality of life for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The intervention aims to foster how singing can promote participation, engagement, and communication in the lives of people with dementia and their caregivers (Osman, Tischler, & Schneider, 2016). Furthermore, research led by Ayelet Dassa and Dorit Amir (2014) explores how singing recognizable songs can promote dialogue, and the exchange of ideas among people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Since dementia’s pathology is neurodegenerative in nature, the researchers use singing activities as an effective intervention to promote social interaction, engagement, and even aid in communication difficulties (Dassa & Amir, 2014).
Since this is a newer field of research, there are certain domains that are not known. For instance, it is not known if the caregiver’s opinions in Osman, Tischler, & Schneider’s (2016) research were overrepresented in this study, due to better cognitive ability. Meanwhile, for Dassa and Amir’s (2014) research, there is the issue of generalizability. With the different stages, types, and overall complexity of dementia, it is not known if the same inferences could be drawn. In addition, previous research by O’Neal, Freeman, and Portland (2011) indicate there is still limited evidence about the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments for specific symptoms of behaviour that persist in individuals with dementia (O’Neal, Freeman, and Portland, 2011). This opens the door for researchers to study alternative treatments and therapies that could prove to be useful, safe, and effective.
Findings
The research conducted by Osman, Tischler, & Schneider (2016) found that singing activities are beneficial to the health and well-being of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers found many psychosocial benefits, such as social connection to others, a favourable mood, and a positive experience for the shared lives of the individual living with dementia and their caregiver (Osman et al., 2016). Meanwhile, Dassa and Amir (2014), found that recognizable songs reminded the participants of their past and strengthened them of their own national identity (Dassa & Amir, 2014). In addition, Dassa and Amir’s (2014) research aims to foster the importance of facilitating the continuation of speech and language abilities for as long as possible. By facilitating group singing activities, conversational skills can be maintained for as long as possible, even in the presence of language impairments (Dassa & Amir, 2014).
Implications of the findings
A major overall implication of the findings are the many benefits for people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This research has the potential to influence health outcomes for future generations. Furthermore, for some individuals, music and singing might not have been a treatment that they would have considered as an option. By discovering new approaches to treatments and interventions that are rooted in evidence, researchers can demonstrate its effectiveness. In this instance, they use evidence of music and singing for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and they also present evidence found in previous studies to further promote their findings.
Critique
While these researchers effectively demonstrate how singing activities have a range of benefits for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, the studies do have their limitations. For instance, it is not known if these results are the same cross-culturally as the participants in both samples are from very homogenous populations. Osman, Tischler, & Schneider’s (2016) study was conducted in the United Kingdom. The research tested 10 dementia-caregiver pairs, resulting in 20 participants in total. Out of these 10 pairs, there were 3 mother-daughter pairs and 7 husband-wife pairs. They were all White British in origin. Meanwhile, Dassa & Amir (2014) tested 6 participants, out of which 4 were born in Israel and two were born in Eastern Europe and immigrated to Israel during their teen years. Out of these six participants, two were males and four were females. In both studies, this is also the issue of generalizing the results from very small sample sizes. Furthermore, Dassa & Amir study looked at the role of singing recognizable songs from a particular culture and time period (Dassa & Amir, 2014). In their study, they played Israeli music. Therefore, the role that a person’s culture has on the type of music they listen to and enjoy will influence their results both cross-culturally and across specific time periods where music tastes inevitably change.
Methodology
The research that was conducted in both articles was mostly qualitative in nature, consisting of interviews and observations. Osman, Tischler, & Schnieder (2014) conducted interviews alongside people with dementia and their caregivers. The interviews ranged from 37 to 85 minutes, in the home of the caregiver. They were asked questions based on different topics related to their attendance during the ‘Singing for the Brain’ sessions (Osman et al, 2014). Meanwhile, Dassa & Amir (2014) followed people who attended music therapy sessions. In their methodology, they “examined transcriptions of verbal and sung content” (Dassa & Amir, 2014). They used this methodology for the purpose of understanding the relationship between particular songs and the reactions and discussions that occurred during and after the singing session (Dassa & Amir, 2014). The results found that the participants enjoyed the singing activities as their responses were cheerful and often uninhibited (Dassa & Amir, 2014). The methodology used in both studies effectively demonstrates the importance of fostering interpersonal relationships through singing activities.
Conclusion
This research is vital to the contribution and continuation of research in dementia and Alzheimer’s care. By examining the benefits of group singing as a way to promote interpersonal relationships for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, the benefits that arise aim not only to improve health and well-being, but also to inform and inspire people to continue to lead fully participatory lives that spark a lifetime of social connection to others.
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