The Effects of Group Singing on the Cognitive Communication Skills and Wellbeing of Individuals with Dementia

Abstract

Communication is the process through which our most primal needs of belonging, attachment and self-actualisation are met and is, therefore, closely related to our survival, life achievements and wellbeing. An estimated 55 million people live with dementia worldwide. Communication is fundamentally affected in the dementias, and evidence indicates people with dementia generally withdraw from interaction concomitant with communication changes. Group singing promotes wellbeing and social interaction for individuals with dementia. However, there remains a gap in the literature regarding the effects of group singing on communication skills in dementia. This thesis aims to address this gap. Three studies were conducted: a systematic review, a pilot study of a group singing intervention, and an analysis to explore potentially more sensitive measures of social cognition and communication. While the main treatment study could not be implemented due to COVID-19 restrictions, a refined study protocol, informed by the three reported studies, is proposed for a future clinical trial. The results of the reported studies are explored together with the emerging body of literature that discusses the effects of the increased social isolation that occurred during the pandemic. Finally, clinical translation and directions for future research are discussed.