Group Music Therapy on a Dementia Assessment Ward: An Approach to Evaluation

Abstract

This article presents an approach to evaluating a music therapy pilot project carried out on a dementia assessment ward, and introduces the framework for evaluation developed by the music therapist. This framework aims to describe and categorise patients' involvement in sessions, which may help to define clear outcomes for patients. It also highlights the relevance of music therapy treatment to the goals of the multi-disciplinary team on the ward, and to current thinking and policy about dementia care, as described in the National Dementia Strategy (DoH 2009).

The project was a collaboration between the local NHS trust (Older Adults Therapies Team), Soundwell Music Therapy Trust and the hospital League of Friends. Soundwell is a specialist mental health music therapy charity, founded in 2002 to provide music therapy and music support groups for mental health service users and unpaid carers in Wiltshire and Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES). A further, extended pilot project is being planned, subject to funding. It is hoped that this will offer the opportunity to trial the evaluation approach more extensively.