Depression is not uncommon among nursing home residents. A length of stay of two years or more and a poor cognitive status are risk factors positively correlated to depressive symptoms. Music therapy as a therapeutic tool can help to address clients’ physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs. Studies on the use of music therapy for residents in Singapore nursing homes are limited. This study sought to (1) explore a nursing home’s residents’ sense of well-being and (2) examine their perceptions of music therapy.

29 residents who had attended music therapy for at least six months participated in this study. We used the Short Form Geriatric Depression Scale and the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale to assess their extent of depressive symptoms and their subjective mental well-being respectively. We also interviewed participants on their perceptions of music therapy. Statistical tests were used to examine correlation between the scores for the two scales, and to examine their scores against their demographic profiles. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically.

Participants’ mean scores for the Depression scale were in the normal range, and they had good well-being scores. Interestingly, we found no significant correlation between their demographic factors (e.g., cognitive status, length of stay) and their scores. 27 out of 29 participants reported positive psychosocial well-being due to music therapy.

This study is limited by the absence of pre-post quantitative assessments. Also, as residents also received other forms of therapies, participants’ positive well-being scores could not be attributed solely to music therapy.

Authors:
Julia Wong, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore
May Wong, St Joseph's Home, Singapore
Yi Rong Chua, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore
Lucas Chia, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore
Cristi Look, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore
Sharini Shafie, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Julia Wong is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Singapore Institute of Technology in Singapore

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