Mrs Bec Watt1, Dr Ajay Castelino2, Dr Suzanne Dawson2,3, Peixuan Li4,5, Dr Zara Thompson2, A/Prof Jeanette Tamplin2, Jessica Archbold1, A/Prof Karen Elaine Lamb4,5, A/Prof Sabine Braat4,5, Dr Tanara Vieira Sousa2, Prof Felicity Baker2,6
1Repat Neuro-Behavioural Unit (RNBU), SALHN, SA Health, Daw Park, Australia, 2Creative Arts and Music Therapy Research Unit, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia, 3Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia, 4Methods and Implementation Support for Clinical and Health (MISCH) Research Hub, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia, 5Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia, 6Norwegian Academy of Music, Oso, Norway
Biography:
Bec Watt is a Registered Music Therapist with experience in dementia care, in acute hospital and community settings. She provides client-centred music therapy through the Repat Neuro-Behavioural Unit (RNBU) and private practice. Her research interests focus on creative arts interventions for people with dementia and their carers, with published work in peer-reviewed journals. Bec has contributed to multiple clinical research projects, ethics reviews, and student supervision. She holds a Master of Music Therapy and has engaged in PhD research.
Abstract:
Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are among the most distressing aspects of dementia, impacting both individuals and their carers. Dementia Australia recommends high-quality dementia care training, including alternatives to physical and chemical restraint. This study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of Musically Attuned Technology for Care via eHealth – Hospital setting (MATCH-H), a music therapy-based training program designed to regulate BPSD in a hospital setting.
An ARIIA-funded single-arm quasi-experimental pre-post mixed-methods implementation trial was conducted at the Repat Neuro-Behavioural Unit (RNBU). Fourteen consumers with dementia and 18 nursing and allied health staff participated. Consumer outcomes included the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSD), retrospective analysis of medication use and adverse events. Staff outcomes measured job satisfaction, well-being and professional burden. Program acceptability was assessed via usage logs and focus groups, and analysed using the theoretical domains framework (TDF) and Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour model (COM-B).
Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPI-Q) decreased, meeting the minimal clinically important difference threshold, with 78% of consumers improving. Agitation and frontal symptoms declined, while antipsychotic and opioid use, particularly pro re nata (PRN) medications for agitation, also reduced. Staff rated the program highly, exceeding acceptability thresholds.
MATCH-H demonstrates promise as a feasible, non-pharmacological approach to managing BPSD. While outcomes suggest clinical benefits and reduced medication reliance, the complexity of hospital environments may limit overall impact. Further research is needed to optimise implementation and sustainability. Further research is needed to optimise implementation and sustainability of the intervention.