Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

An evaluation of a Singing for the Brain pilot with people with a learning disability and memory problems or a dementia

Ward, A. and Parkes, J. (2017) An evaluation of a Singing for the Brain pilot with people with a learning disability and memory problems or a dementia. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice. 16(3), pp. 360-374. 1471-3012.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: This paper presents the findings from a pilot project introducing Singing for the Brain into care centres with people with a learning disability and a form of dementia or memory problem. Through participant observations, patient and staff feedback, there was strong support for the use of Singing for the Brain with this client group, with articipants reporting high levels of enjoyment and engagement in the sessions. The potential for these sessions to support communication, memory, social engagement and choice was reported by staff and articipants. Whilst anecdotal reports also suggested the sessions had a positive impact on elevating mood over a sustained period of time. The pilot sessions are discussed in reference to the regular sessions run for people with dementia and comparisons drawn across the two approaches. Further evidence is required to understand the potential impact on participant’s well-being from attending these sessions.
Additional Information: A pre-publication version of this article was made available electronically by the publisher on 8 July 2015.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Singing for the Brain, dementia, learning disability, memory, music
Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC435 Psychiatry > RC512 Psychopathology. Mental disorders > RC521 Dementia
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC952 Geriatrics > RC953.8 Therapeutics
Creators: Ward, Alison and Parkes, Jackie
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Institute of Health and Wellbeing > Ageing Research Centre
Research Centres > Centre for Health Sciences and Services
Research Centres > Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences
Date: 1 April 2017
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 360-374
Journal or Publication Title: Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice
Volume: 16
Number: 3
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301215592539
ISSN: 1471-3012
Status: Published / Disseminated
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/8097

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