Music Therapy and Social Work Telehealth for Older Adult Well-Being

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Aging Well, Dementia, Telemedicine

In brief

This study investigates the benefits of using telehealth services, specifically a combination of music therapy and social work support, to improve the well-being of older adults. Investigators are focusing on outcomes such as reduced loneliness, improved cognition, and how well older adults with and without dementia perceive the quality of the services received. This research is crucial because as the population ages and conditions like Alzheimer's become more prevalent, effective psychosocial interventions are needed. The collaborative telehealth approach of the intervention in this study strives to connect older adults to community and health-related services. Older adults experience challenges in accessing services related to transportation, social support, and finances. While the pandemic prompted a rapid shift of healthcare services online, including music therapy and social work, questions remain about the quality of this transition, especially for older adults who may not be familiar with or have the resources for telehealth. In this pilot study, investigators are studying music therapy and social work support through telehealth to understand how this approach can impact the well-being, cognition, and service quality for older adults, both with and without dementia. Social workers, who focus on improving well-being and addressing various needs, can leverage the therapeutic relationship built by music therapists to better identify and meet service needs. This pilot study builds on a feasibility project, which indicated that this collaborative framework is acceptable, valuable, and of interest to older adults, facilitating remote community connection. Through this research, investigators aim to evaluate the effectiveness of telehealth services for older adults to inform a future larger trial.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06219148

Run by

Alaine E Hernandez, PhD

People needed

20

Starts

2024-03-19

Expected to finish

2025-07-25

Last updated by the study team

2025-09-03

Who can join

Age: 65 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• age 65 or older
• English-speaking
• reside in Kentucky
• willing to receive support from the research team on how to access Zoom (as needed)
• EITHER a) have familiarity using digital technology and/or a video conferencing app such as Zoom, FaceTime, or Facebook Messenger, OR b) have a family member or friend who can facilitate Zoom access (i.e., "helper").

You may not qualify if…

• substance use disorder, which could present a confounding variable relative to the aims;
• significant sensory impairment that interferes with Zoom use
• current music therapy and/or social work case manager recipient
• HELPERS: facilitate participation by older adults who are unfamiliar with using video conferencing technology and/or who lack consent capacity.
• Helper Inclusion Criteria:
• at least 18 years old
• cognitively unimpaired
• live with or be able to go to the older adult's residence to assist them in participating in the study.
• Helper Exclusion Criteria:
• under 18 years old
• cognitively impaired
• unable to assist the older adult in participating in the study for any reason

Where it is running

• University of Kentucky — Lexington, Kentucky, United States
• Saint Louis University — St Louis, Missouri, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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