RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Do community-based singing interventions have an impact on people living with dementia and their carers? A mixed-methods study protocol
JF BMJ Open
JO BMJ Open
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP e076168
DO 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076168
VO 13
IS 11
A1 Polden, Megan
A1 Hanna, Kerry
A1 Ward, Kym
A1 Ahmed, Faraz
A1 Brown, Heather
A1 Holland, Carol
A1 Barrow, Hazel
A1 Main, Jeanette
A1 Mann, Stella
A1 Pendrill, Steve
A1 Giebel, Clarissa
YR 2023
UL http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/11/e076168.abstract
AB Introduction Psychosocial interventions have been shown to improve mood, relieve stress and improve quality of life for people living with dementia (PwD). To date, most evaluations of singing interventions have focused on the benefits for PwD and not their carers. This research aims to evaluate the benefits of dementia singing groups for both PwD and their carers.Methods and analysis This 2-year project will observe the impact of two different singing intervention services, one combining singing alongside dance and another that includes a sociable lunch. This project will aim to recruit a total of n=150 PwD and n=150 carers across the two singing interventions. Using a mixed-methods approach, the influence of both services will be analysed via the following outcome measures: quality of life, neuropsychiatric symptoms, social isolation, loneliness, cognition, carer burden and depressive symptoms in PwD and their carers using a prestudy/poststudy design. Regression models will be used to analyse the data with time (pre/post) as the exposure variable. Semistructured interviews will be conducted with a subset of people (n=40) to further investigate the impact of singing services with a specific focus on the acceptability of the interventions, barriers to access and prolonged engagement and potential for remote delivery. Interview data will be analysed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis, and public advisers will assist with coding the transcripts. A social return on investment analysis will be conducted to determine the social impact of the services.Ethics and dissemination This project has received ethical approval from the University of Liverpool’s Ethics Committee (App ref: 12374) and Lancaster University’s Ethics Committee (App ref: 3442). All participants will provide informed consent to participate. Results will be presented at national and international conferences, published in scientific journals and publicly disseminated to key stakeholders.