Exploring the impact of an indirect music therapy intervention on the quality of life of informal caregivers of people living with dementia in the community

People living with dementia often reside in the community supported by a family member. Providing care for a loved one can be challenging, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated demands on caregivers in the community. Psychosocial interventions offering training and support effectively address wellbeing outcomes for caregivers. However, there is limited research investigating caregiver support through training with a music therapist, also called ‘indirect music therapy’. This PhD is nested in the HOMESIDE international randomised controlled trial (Baker et al., 2019a), which presents an opportunity to study an innovative indirect music therapy model.

This mixed methods study explores the impact of the HOMESIDE indirect music therapy intervention on caregiver quality of life. It uses a multi-strand design supported by a two-part systematic literature review developing and testing a framework for caregiver quality of life support. The project then integrates perspectives of intervention impact using 1) a sequential explanatory design to explore perspectives of eight music therapists delivering the HOMESIDE intervention across five countries, 2) a convergent design merging qualitative and quantitative outcome data from 15 HOMESIDE dyads in the UK and 3) a case series of three HOMESIDE dyads exploring intervention processes and mechanisms from a researcher-practitioner perspective.

Integration of mixed methods findings from all study strands indicates that several aspects of caregiver quality of life, including mental health, the caregiving relationship, knowledge of dementia and access to support may be maintained by the music intervention. Mechanisms supporting these positive changes occur in four re-iterative phases, including 1) exploring responses to music, 2) navigating challenges, 3) meaningful music experiences and 4) embedding music into daily life. This study demonstrates the potential for indirect music therapy to support quality of life for caregivers of people with dementia. It outlines implications for future practice including the need for an overt focus on the caregiver, long-term therapist input and a social support model.