music therapy, senior citizens, community, experiences

pouze v AJ

Introduction Music therapy (MT) is a therapeutic discipline that is used to improve well-being and health. Objective The aim of this paper is to present experiences with MT of senior citizens living in the community. Methods and Research Sample The interventional study design was used. Data were collected with an Older People's Quality of Life–Brief version (OPQOL-BRIEF), with a Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) and Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15). Measurement was made before the 12-week MT intervention, at the end of the intervention in 12-week and 3 months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software – Spearman correlation analysis, Wilcoxon text, Cohens' d. The sample comprised 45 of the senior citizens, the mean age was 72,98 (Min. 63, Max. 88) and 97,8% were women. Ethical Considerations Standard ethical principles were followed; the authors are not aware of any conflict of interest. Results The mean quality of life score was good and showed an improvement 3 months after intervention compared to baseline values (p = 0.004). Only a small effect size was found between the first and third measurements for quality of life. The mean depression score was lower at the end of the intervention (p < 0.001) and 3 months after (p < 0.001), indicating improvement in depression symptoms from baseline. A medium effect size was found on symptoms of depression between the 1st and 2nd measurements and also between the first and third measurements. In the case of anxiety, a significant improvement was found between all measures (p ≤ 0.001). A medium effect size was found on anxiety symptoms between the 1st and 2nd measurements. A large effect size for anxiety symptoms was found between the first and third measurements. Conclusions MT appears to be an effective intervention to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression in older people living in the community.