Feasibility Study of Creating and Using Personalised Music Playlists to Support People Living with Dementia in Care Homes

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are exploring the benefits of personalised music for people living with mild to moderate dementia, particularly those in care homes. This study aims to develop and test methods for quickly creating and delivering personalised music playlists, and to assess how individuals respond to this music. The study also includes a sub-study using brain imaging to understand the effects of music on behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia, and an extension inviting families to use a WebApp to create playlists for loved ones living with dementia in the community. Participants will have personalised playlists created based on their musical preferences collected from themselves and their carers. They will attend a music listening session where responses to short excerpts of music are monitored using wrist-worn devices, video recordings, and observations of movements and facial expressions. The refined playlists will then be used in ongoing listening sessions, with delivery methods such as wireless headphones or smart speakers tested for ease of use and effectiveness. The study also involves focus groups and interviews with carers and care home staff to gather feedback on the impact and delivery of personalised music. Throughout the study, participants and carers will complete assessments of behavioural and psychological symptoms and quality of life at intervals. Emotional responses to music will be analysed using automated facial expression analysis and physiological monitoring. The study will observe how personalised music affects residents over time, including during difficult care moments. Participation involves consent procedures, training for carers and staff, and ongoing qualitative and quantitative data collection over several months to develop and refine methods for future larger-scale studies.

Benefits of Personalised Music in Dementia - a Feasibility Study