Move to the Beat – Rock Drumming as a movement and cognitive intervention for Older Adults with Cognitive Impairments. at Ulster University

Move to the Beat – Rock Drumming as a movement and cognitive intervention for Older Adults with Cognitive Impairments.

Prof Ruth Lowry Monday, February 03, 2025 Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

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Coleraine United Kingdom Community Psychology Developmental Psychology Health Psychology Neuropsychology Sport Psychology

About the Project

In the UK, an estimated 1 million people are thought to be living with dementia, but this figure is projected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. Those people living with dementia (PLWD) or with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are more likely to be older, with the likelihood of cognitive decline doubling every 5 years after 65 years. Cognitive decline can often lead to increasingly isolated living for the person and those caring for them resulting in depression, physical inactivity, reduced wellbeing and quality of life.

The World Health Organization (2019) recently acknowledged that wellbeing and social relationships of carers and PlwD could be improved by participation in arts activities. Arts-based interventions (ABI), including music are now being offered to PlwD and MCI. Music can include active (music-making) and passive (music-appreciation) involvement or be incorporated into reminiscence therapy (used to elicit memories and prompt conversation). ABIs can improve communication, confidence, self-esteem, wellbeing, enhance cognitive functioning, maintain existing skills and promote new ones. Drumming (including drum circles) has been implemented as a suitable music making instrument in relation to psychosocial health and wellbeing of the elderly. Rock drumming, is a complex motor-coordination task involving all four limbs to activate gross and fine motor skills to generate rhythm. This dual-task activity will involve will provide a physical and cognitive activity potentially combining the benefits of movement activities and creative expression.

PhD Objectives:

* To produce a critical review of the existing literature that examines the efficacy of music participation and learning for PlwD and MCI and their carers

* Co-design a drumming movement intervention for PlwD and MCI. Consulting with people with lived experience and other stakeholders to construct a dual-task programme.

* Conduct a pilot study that assesses the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of a drumming movement intervention for PlwD and MCI

Please note: Applicants with a 2:1 degree in Psychology (or close to completion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

References

Baird, A., Garrido, S., & Tamplin, J. (2020). Music and Dementia: From Cognition to Therapy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Beard, R. L. (2021). Art therapies and dementia care: A systematic review. Dementia, 11(5), 633–656. doi:10.1177/1471301211421090
Brancatisano, O., Baird, A., & Thompson, W. F. (2020). Why is music therapeutic for neurological disorders? The Therapeutic Music Capacities Model. Neuroscience Biobehavioral Reviews, 112, 600-615. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.02.008.
Clare, A., & Camic, P.M. (2020). Live and recorded group music interventions with active participation for people with dementias: A systematic review. Arts Health, 12(3),197–220. doi:10.1080/17533015.2019.1675732
Farina, N., McArdle, R., Lowry, R. G., & Banerjee, S. (2024). Physical Activity Patterns Within Dementia Care Dyads. Journal of aging and physical activity, 32(4), 480–487. doi.org/10.1123/japa.2023-0078
Farina, N., Niazi, U., McArdle, R., Eronen, J., Lowry, R. G., & Banerjee, S. (2024). Psychosocial factors associated with physical activity in people with dementia: A pilot cross-sectional study. Aging Medicine, 7 (5), 543 - 552. doi.org/10.1002/agm2.12364
MacDonald, R. A, Kreutz, G., & Mitchell, L. (2012). Music, Health, and Wellbeing. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
World Health Organisation (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review. Health evidence network synthesis. Report 67, Geneva. https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289054553
Young, R., Camic, P. M., & Tischler, V. (2016). The impact of community-based arts and health interventions on cognition in people with dementia: A systematic literature review. Aging Mental Health, 20(4), 337–351. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2015.1011080.