Music and Art within the Lives of People Living with Dementia
How can we use art practices and music to mitigate depression within those that live with dementia? Can art and music provide emancipation from psychological and cognitive challenges?
Introduction
The research conducted within this project aims to gain insight into the application of music and art within dementia care, with particular interest in alleviating depression within people that live with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Following on from the exploration of established literature within this field, I have chosen to hone in on the idea of creating a territory (Deleuze & Guattari, 1987). The supposition being that the creation of a territory (through the facilitation of music and art) will allow people living with dementia to become emancipated from cognitive restraints. The research conducted aimed to explore exactly this.
Depression within individuals living with dementia often stems from a loss of value and self-concept, social withdrawal, and reduced speech. By addressing the negligence of deeply rooted human needs and going beyond symptomatic solutions provided by modern medicine, this research aims to provide a more humanistic approach. Drawing inspiration from Jon Prosser’s artistic methods in treating disease and illness (Prosser, 2007), music and art are seen as fundamental solutions that are inherently more human than medication alone.
The project takes inspiration from Adorno’s concept that art operates in the uppermost layer of reality, shedding light on the dark reality of society. By addressing topics like dementia and depression through art and music, a healthier environment is created to access the individual’s existence on the “plane of consistency.” (Deleuze & Guattari, 1987, p. 4). The project highlights the potential of poetry and collages as archival tools to navigate this evocative reality, giving voice to the voiceless and catalysing personal growth and positive change. By integrating artistic expression, visual methods, and NLP analysis, this research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of mitigating depression in individuals with AD and contribute to a broader societal dialogue.
For this project I have chosen to implement a concurrent research design. I have opted for a joint display approach, highlighting how the qualitative and quantitative methods have been used in parallel in order to enrich the findings that emerged from both providing good scope for comparisons between data. Additionally, this project will use a narrative approach to discuss the themes that have arisen from analysis of both research methods – helping to paint the picture of the use and effectiveness of music and art within dementia care. This will lead to an integrated analysis of the findings, providing a synthesis between the two separate elements whilst assessing the fit between the primary data collected and the secondary data explored.
My primary research method for this project was visual methods. I opted to design and create cultural probes (CPs), as a way of collecting primary data. Cultural probes are often an assortment of various methods aimed at collecting auto ethnographic data, typically containing tasks or instructions bringing a sense of gamification to the research (Marc Stickdorn, 2018). CPs do not require a researcher to be present during data collection, reducing the influence of demand characteristics and researcher bias which is beneficial for the project as it increases the validity of the data collected.
By employing Natural Language Processing (NLP) as my secondary research method, the project moves beyond subjective interpretations and provides a data-driven perspective on the therapeutic potential of music and art in the context of Alzheimer’s Disease. The quantitative insights derived from NLP analysis complement the qualitative data obtained through cultural probes, creating a synergistic integration of both research methods. This integrated analysis contributes to a holistic understanding of the effectiveness and application of music and art within dementia care, specifically in terms of mitigating depressive symptoms and facilitating a sense of cognitive emancipation for individuals with AD.
The cohesiveness and integration of these research methods are further amplified through the use of thematic analysis. This analytical approach allows for a deep exploration of recurring themes and shared perspectives emerging from discussions surrounding the use of music and art in this particular domain. Therefore, creating a concrete foundation on which to integrate the data found from both quantitative and qualitative research, exploring similarities and differences between the two.
Methodology
Qualitative Research
Participants were given cultural probes to complete over a two week period in which they completed multiple visual and creative tasks, chosen with the intention of challenging the hegemony and linearity of written text and to increase voice and reflexivity in the research process (Butler-Kisber, 2007).
The tasks included:
- Sound Mapping: Participants illustrated their emotional states before, during, and after listening to music using imagery and symbols, offering a reflective tool to explore music’s impact on emotional well-being and its potential role in alleviating depressive symptoms.
- Collage: Participants used images to visually express the challenges faced by caregivers and the positive effects of art and music on dementia patients, offering a creative and non-linear way to communicate personal experiences and insights.
- Anecdote Cards: Designed like postcards, these cards encouraged participants to concisely share meaningful moments related to art and music’s impact on their loved ones and themselves, capturing significant and emotionally rich data.
- Reflective Self-Care Journal: Participants documented their self-care practices, including engagement with art and music, providing insights into alternative coping strategies and expanding the understanding of how creative activities support caregiver well-being.
- Creative Contributions: This task empowered participants to reflect on their experience with the project, offer feedback, and contribute additional insights, fostering participant ownership and informing future project improvements.
Quantitative Research
After reviewing relevant literature, I identified the documentary Alive Inside as a valuable resource that synthesises my research interests in music and dementia care, offering high-quality firsthand interviews that I could not obtain through primary research due to ethical and time constraints. Analysing the interview transcripts enriched the reliability and depth of my project.
The objective of performing Natural Language Processing (NLP) analysis was to explore the impact of music on individuals featured in the documentary by identifying key music-related terms within the transcript, forming a dataset for thematic analysis. Initially, I mapped these terms against average valence scores to understand the emotional tone associated with music in dementia care; valence refers to the emotional positivity or negativity associated with words.
To focus on positive language, I applied a sentiment threshold of 0.2 to isolate words conveying positive experiences and emotions related to music. This selective approach refined the dataset to highlight meaningful insights.
Thematic analysis was conducted on the processed dataset, providing a deeper understanding of how music is discussed in dementia care. This approach served to integrate findings from different research methods, resulting in a comprehensive and cohesive dataset.
Findings
Music and Positive Emotions:
Analysis of music-related language revealed a higher average valence – indicating stronger positive emotions – compared to general English language use. This underscores music’s potential to uplift moods, evoke joy, and enhance well-being, reinforcing its role as a therapeutic tool in healthcare and psychology.
Key Themes Identified:
Through thematic analysis, five core themes emerged, demonstrating music and art’s impact across various dimensions:
- Art as a Process: Participants expressed how engaging with creative activities provided emotional relief and self-expression. Art was seen not just as an outcome but as a transformative journey fostering growth and exploration.
- Emotion and Positive Sentiment: Language used in the study, such as “love” and “happy,” highlighted how music and art evoke positive emotions and serve as a medium for communication, even in advanced dementia cases.
- Engagement and Enjoyment: Creative activities enabled meaningful engagement, helping individuals maintain a sense of purpose and self-worth, challenging the monotony of care environments. This further reinforces notions regarding the use of art as a way to challenge the artificial societal norms, as suggested within Rancière’s Aesthetic Theory (Rancière, 2013)
- Safety and Well-being: Music was described as a source of comfort and connection, creating a safe emotional space for both individuals with dementia and their families, facilitating emotional expression and shared experiences.
- Desire for Freedom and Experiences: Participants expressed how music provided a sense of escape and freedom from cognitive and emotional constraints, offering moments of liberation and reconnection with their inner selves.
The data collected from the cultural probes is incredibly rich with emotions and storytelling. It provides a powerful insight into the influence of music on not only the person living with dementia but also the family unit that surrounds them.
For a more detailed analysis please contact me for the full paper.
Critical Reflection
Recognising Caregiver Narratives:
A key focus of this research was ensuring that caregivers and family members felt heard, rather than solely providing data about their loved ones with dementia. Inspired by a visit to an Alzheimer’s café, it became clear that caregivers are often overlooked and rarely given the space to share their own experiences. By incorporating their personal stories into the research process, participants formed a stronger connection to their contributions, ultimately enhancing the quality of the data collected.
Reflexivity in Research Design:
To ensure a deeper understanding of the research tasks, I completed a Cultural Probe (CP) myself before distributing them to participants. This self-reflective exercise allowed me to critically assess the tasks’ effectiveness and gain firsthand insight into participants’ experiences. It also enabled a more nuanced analysis of the collected data.
Limitations and Future Improvements:
One limitation of the CP method is the subjective interpretation of participant responses. While reflexivity was practiced throughout, having multiple researchers analyse the data could have provided additional perspectives. Furthermore, incorporating debrief interviews could have offered richer insights and clarified participant intent. An informal debrief conducted with one participant highlighted the value of such discussions for future research.
The Emancipatory Power of Art and Music:
Throughout the study, it became evident that music and art have the ability to transport individuals into a space of freedom, where they can reconnect with their true selves beyond physical or mental constraints. This effect is not limited to those with dementia but extends to all individuals, reinforcing the universal impact of creative expression on well-being.
Future Directions:
Moving forward, expanding the research to a broader population beyond dementia care could provide further insights into the universal benefits of music and art. Additionally, exploring the influence of natural sounds, such as running water, on mental well-being presents an exciting avenue for further study.
This research underscores the profound potential of integrating art and music into daily life, offering transformative and uplifting experiences that promote emotional and psychological well-being across diverse groups.
For a more detailed methodology, findings, and discussion, please contact me for the full paper.