Music therapy can provide support for family caregivers of older adults in many ways. Some common goals addressed in music therapy for caregivers include:

  • Reducing stress and anxiety
  • Increasing coping skills
  • Improving mood
  • Increasing relaxation
  • Promoting social interactions
  • Assisting with bereavement processes

 

Music therapists are trained to create music experiences that are tailored to different needs. Here are some examples of music therapists’ rationales for choosing specific activities:

  • Guided breathing to music for increased relaxation, decreased feelings of overload, and preparation for upcoming exercises
  • Music listening to a song specifically chosen to fit the theme of a therapy session
  • Songwriting or song discussion to allow for expression of feelings and sharing of experiences

Music Therapy Groups

Music therapy is often offered in group settings. Below is an example from research of a music therapy support group for family caregivers of older adults. Each session in this study followed a four-step format, with one of the listed activities offered for each step. 

  1. Musical transition/opening upon arrival to the musical space
    1. Song recreation
    2. Improvisation
    3. Movement to music
    4. Evocative poem, quote, or image shared alongside music
  2. Check-in with others and sharing current feelings/states
    1. Verbal check-in
    2. Musical check-in through improvisation or sharing songs
  3. Core music therapy experience/debrief with the group
    1. Music and imagery – involves helping individuals focus on relaxing images and visualize the release of tension
    2. Drawing or writing to music
    3. Composing chants, song collages, imagery scripts, etc.
  4. Closing/transition to share current feelings/states and say goodbye to the group
    1. Verbal check-out
    2. Musical check-out through performing music from the session, playing a closing sound, etc.

 

Participants in this group reported the following benefits: 

  • Relief from emotional demands
  • Enjoyment from participating in a variety of activities
  • Feeling energized and avoiding burnout
  • Closeness with others in the group
  • Interaction with a welcoming, non-judgmental therapist
  • Renewed connection to music
  • Increased use of music to regulate emotions and mood

Group Therapeutic Songwriting (GTSW)

Therapeutic songwriting involves creating, notating, and/or recording music and lyrics to address an individual’s emotional, cognitive, or communication needs. Group therapeutic songwriting (GTSW) can be a impactful method of support for family caregivers of older adults. A recent study involving caregivers of individuals with dementia found the following benefits:

  • GTSW helped create a feeling of connectedness through:
    • Fostering feelings of group belonging and identity
    • Encouraging empathy and support from others
    • Creating strength in numbers
  • GTSW was an empowering, meaningful, and motivating experience through:
    • Overcoming a challenge, fostering feelings of self-confidence and satisfaction
    • Creating an enduring, impactful experience that lasted beyond the conclusion of the sessions
  • GTSW promoted emotional connection through:
    • Connecting with oneself
    • Exploring and expressing emotions through song creation
  • GTSW improved wellbeing through:
    • Relaxation

    • Improving vitality and mood

       

An additional study also describes the positive effects of GTSW. Through creating lyrics and music together, the caregivers in this study were able to share their stories, find similarities among their peers’ experiences, and find ways to tell the group’s story. The music served as the primary vehicle for caregivers to:

  • Describe their experiences
  • Explore changing roles and identities
  • Gain insight into the causes and effects of stress
  • Resolve difficult and conflicting feelings
  • Break down barriers to wellbeing and coping strategies
  • Recognize their abilities and strengths as caregivers

 

This study highlights the importance of the presence and involvement of a music therapist in the therapeutic nature of the experience. Professional music therapists can use their clinical skills and training to:

  • Challenge caregivers’ negative or self-defeating thoughts
  • Reframe negative thoughts into constructive, positive lyrics
  • Prompt group discussion
  • Help caregivers reflect their thoughts and experiences through music and lyrics  

Music Assisted Relaxation

As its title suggests, music-assisted relaxation (MAR) involves using music to invoke a relaxation response. Music therapists may use live or recorded music to invoke relaxation, and their selections are based in research to promote the greatest effect. Music may be also be combined with other relaxation techniques, such as:

  • Deep breathing techniques
  • Progressive muscle relaxation – involves contracting and relaxing muscle groups in sequences to help with releasing tension
  • Imagery – involves helping individuals focus on relaxing images and visualize the release of tension

 

Positive effects of these music listening interventions can include:

  • Decreased anxiety
  • Stress reduction
  • Improved sleep quality
  • Lower blood pressure

References

Baker, F. A., Stretton-Smith, P., Clark, I. N., Tamplin, J., & Lee, Y.-E. C. (2018). A group therapeutic songwriting intervention for family caregivers of people living with dementia: A feasibility study with thematic analysis. Front Med-Lausanne, 5(May), 151. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2018.00151 

Brault, A., & Vaillancourt, G. (2022). Group telehealth music therapy with caregivers: A qualitative inquiry. Journal of Patient Experience, 9, 23743735221107241. https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735221107241 

Choi, Y. K. (2010). The effect of music and progressive muscle relaxation on anxiety, fatigue, and quality of life in family caregivers of hospice patients. The Journal of Music Therapy, 47(1), 53–69. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/47.1.53

De Niet, G., Tiemens, B., Lendemeijer, B. and Hutschemaekers, G. (2009). Music-assisted relaxation to improve sleep quality: Meta-analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65, 1356-1364. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.04982.x

Denk, J. G. (2023). The impact of a music therapy support group on perceived stress, anxiety, and depression in long-term caregivers: A pilot study. Music Therapy Perspectives, 41(1), 28–36. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miac019 

García-Valverde, E., Corbella, M. B., & Baz, M. B. O. (2022). Experiences of group therapeutic songwriting of family caregivers of people with dementia. Psychology of Music, 50(2), 530–547. https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356211005844 

Mandel, S. E., Hanser, S. B., & Ryan, L. J. (2010). Effects of a music-assisted relaxation and imagery compact disc recording on health-related outcomes in cardiac rehabilitation. Music Therapy Perspectives, 28(1), 11–21. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/28.1.11

Robb, S. L., Nichols, R. J., Rutan, R. L., Bishop, B. L., & Parker, J. C. (1995). The effects of music assisted relaxation on preoperative anxiety. The Journal of Music Therapy, 32(1), 2–21. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/32.1.2