DementiaNCT07693114
Support in Sound: Music Therapy for People Living With Dementia and Companions in Rural Communities
A study testing Group music therapy in people with Dementia, run by Anglia Ruskin University at 1 site in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
The goal of this single-arm feasibility study is to learn whether group music therapy is feasible in a rural area for people living with dementia and their companions. The main questions are: 1. Is a group music therapy intervention feasible in a rural community setting? 1a. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Dementia
- What is being tested?
- Group music therapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 14 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- 3 Aug 2026to 30 Nov 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- One person must have a clinical diagnosis of dementia and be accompanied by a companion
- Participants must be able to attend the 10-week programme, recognising that unavoidable absences (e.g., illness or unforeseen personal circumstances) may occur
- Be willing to provide data on health and well-being and take part in interviews.
- Be able to speak and understand the English language
Who cannot join
- Individuals, as dyads are the participants being recruited
- Dyads were neither person has a clinical diagnosis of dementia
- Are unavailable to generally commit to the research programme including music therapy sessions
- Are unable to speak or understand the English language
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United Kingdom1 site
Tarporley Community Centre
Chester
Kiera Kenny, +447979154869, kk79@aru.ac.uk
About this study
Official title: The Support in Sound Music Therapy Research Project for People Living With Dementia and Companions in Rural Communities
The goal of this single-arm feasibility study is to learn whether group music therapy is feasible in a rural area for people living with dementia and their companions. The main questions are:
- Is a group music therapy intervention feasible in a rural community setting? 1a. Are there preliminary changes in health and well-being outcomes following participation in a 10-week community music therapy group?
- What were participants' experiences and preferences regarding the different components of the music therapy programme?
- What is the role of peer support in participants' experiences of a community music therapy intervention?
Read more
Participants living with dementia and their companions will be asked to take part in 10-weeks of music therapy in the community. Before and after each music therapy session, they will be asked to answer an easy-read satisfaction survey to gather information on the 'in the moment' experiences of music therapy.
Participants will also be asked to complete surveys on quality of life, loneliness, depression and well-being on three occasions:
- Before music therapy starts
- During week 5 of music therapy
- After music therapy
After music therapy, participants will also be asked to
- Complete a survey about their experiences of different parts of the music therapy programme
- Take part in an individual feasibility interview
- Take part in an interview exploring the role of peer support within the music therapy groups
If a person does not have the capacity to answer any questions, their companion will be asked to provide the information on behalf of the individual living with dementia.
Read the detailed description
Support in Sound is a 14-week research project for people living with dementia and their carers in Tarporley and the surrounding villages. The project explores how community-based group music therapy may support quality of life, social connection, depression and well-being for participants.
Research suggests that music therapy can have positive emotional and social benefits for people living with dementia. A study found that group music therapy significantly reduced anxiety and depression compared to usual care, with improvements still present three months later, suggesting possible longer-term mental health benefits. A Cochrane review also found that music-based therapeutic interventions may improve social behaviour, depressive symptoms, and overall behavioural symptoms in people with dementia. In addition, music therapy may help facilitate positive emotions and strengthen connections with significant others.
However, less is known about the practicalities, accessibility, and acceptability of delivering group music therapy in rural communities. People living in rural areas may have fewer opportunities to access support groups, wellbeing activities and meet with peers than those living in towns and cities. There is also limited research exploring the role of peer support and shared social experiences within group music therapy for people living with dementia and their carers.
Participants will be recruited from Tarporley and the surrounding villages in line with supporting the health and well-being of local residents living with dementia and their companions in the community. Recruitment posters will be advertised around the village and circulated with care groups in the area. Consent will be obtained from caregivers and individuals living with dementia if they have capacity to do so. Where a person does not have capacity, a consultee will complete a declaration form on behalf of the person living with dementia. Demographic data will be collected before the study commences.
The project consists of 2 weeks for baseline data collection, 10-weeks of group music therapy including data collection during week 5 and 2 weeks of data collection at the end of the study.
The music therapy will be delivered by a HCPC registered music therapist with experience of working with people living with dementia. The sessions will include singing, listening to music, playing with instruments and using music to enable social engagement. Sessions will include an opportunity for peers to socialise over tea, coffee and cake before and after each music therapy session. The team aims to recruit between 6 - 7 dyads.
Feasibility data will be collected to understand the practicality and acceptability of the study using the following data:
- Recruitment rates: Monitoring the number of people recruited
- Retention data: Monitoring the number of people who completed the study
- Adherence rates: Marking an online register each time a person attends a session
- Collecting current mood before and after each music therapy session and satisfaction at the end of each session
- An end of study feasibility interview with participants focused on the implementation, mechanisms of impact and context.
The potential preliminary changes in health and well-being of both persons living with dementia and their companions will be measured using the following data:
- Quality of life - DEMQOL and DEMQOL Proxy
- Loneliness - UCL Loneliness 3-point scale
- Depression - Short Geriatric Depression Scale
- Well-being - Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale
All participants will be asked to complete each of the outcome measures before music therapy, during week 5 of music therapy and at the end of music therapy to measure potential changes during the course of participating in music therapy.
Additional information will be requested to:
- Learn about the perceived satisfaction and value of each of the components of the music therapy programme. This data will be conducted using a survey designed on Microsoft Forms
- Learn about the potential role of peer support within the music therapy programme using a semi-structured interview guide.
Descriptive data will be analysed and there will be a repeated measures analysis. Interview data will be analysed qualitatively.
- Conditions
- Dementia
- Being tested
- Group music therapy
- Keywords
- Dementia, Music Therapy, Community, Rural, Feasibility
- Medical subject headings
- Dementia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Group music therapyBehavioural
Group music therapy will be held in the local community of Tarporley for 10 weeks. The music therapy will be delivered by a HCPC registered music therapist with experience of working with people living with dementia. Each session will be held for 1.5 hours: consisting of 1 hour of music therapy and the remaining time available for participants to have tea, coffee and cake providing an opportunity to talk and socialise. All participants will be provided with a name label before each session. The one hour of weekly music therapy will consist of singing, music listening, playing with instruments and interactive music making opportunities.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Music therapy group | Experimental | Group music therapy will be delivered to participants for 10-weeks. Receives: Behavioral: Group music therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Acceptability and practicality of the study
The following feasibility measures will be collected to assess the acceptability and practicality of the study: number of participants who were recruited, adhered and retained to the study. Numerical levels of satisfaction throughout the duration of the study and qualitative details on feasibility from participants.
Measured: From enrolment to the end of the 14-week research programme
Secondary outcomes (4)
Dementia quality of life measure: DEMQOL
Quality of life of participants living with dementia will be measured using the DEMQOL questionnaire or the DEMQOL proxy questionnaire completed by their companion if a person does not have capacity to answer for themselves.
Scoring:
DEMQOL: (minimum score) 28-112 (maximum score); higher score = better quality of life.
DEMQOL-Proxy: (minimum score) 31-124 (maximum score); higher =better quality of life as rated by a caregiver/proxy).
Measured: Up to two weeks before the music therapy programme starts, again at week 5 and up to two weeks after music therapy programme.
UCLA 3-item Loneliness Scale
Loneliness will be measured of both participants living with dementia and their companions using the UCLA 3-item Loneliness Scale. If a person does not have capacity, their companion will complete this on behalf of the person living with dementia.
Scoring:
3 (minimum score) - 9 (maximum score) with higher scores indicating greater loneliness.
Measured: Up to two weeks before the music therapy programme starts, again at week 5 and up to two weeks after music therapy programme.
Short Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS 15)
Depression levels will be measured using the Short Geriatric Depression Scale for both individuals living with dementia and their companions for those over 65 years of age. If a person does not have capacity, their companion will complete this on behalf of the person living with dementia.
Scoring:
0 (minimum score) - 15 (maximum score) with higher scores indicating worse depressive symptoms
Measured: Up to two weeks before the music therapy programme starts, again at week 5 and up to two weeks after music therapy programme.
Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale
Well-being will be measured using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale for both person living with dementia and their companions. If a person does not have capacity, their companion will complete this on behalf of the person living with dementia.
Scoring:
7 (minimum score) - 35 (maximum score) with higher scores indicating better well-being.
Measured: Up to two weeks before the music therapy programme starts, again at week 5 and up to two weeks after music therapy programme.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Jul 2026
- Study start3 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion16 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for DementiaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 14 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Anglia Ruskin University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07693114
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 373716
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 25 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 9 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: All data collected including demographics, participants and information sheets, feasibility data, questionnaire data and interview data will be shared within the research team.
Publications
Hussain B, Mirza M, Baines R, Burns L, Stevens S, Asthana S, Chatterjee A. Loneliness and social networks of older adults in rural communities: a narrative synthesis systematic review. Front Public Health. 2023 May 15;11:1113864. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1113864. eCollection 2023.
PubMed 37255758Madso KG, Molde H, Hynninen KM, Nordhus IH. Observing Music Therapy in Dementia: Repeated Single-case Studies Assessing Well-being and Sociable Interaction. Clin Gerontol. 2022 Jul-Sep;45(4):968-982. doi: 10.1080/07317115.2021.1978121. Epub 2021 Sep 29.
PubMed 34585627van der Steen JT, van der Wouden JC, Methley AM, Smaling HJA, Vink AC, Bruinsma MS. Music-based therapeutic interventions for people with dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2025 Mar 7;3(3):CD003477. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003477.pub5.
PubMed 40049590Feng X, Dang W, Apuke OD. How does group music therapy help in combating the anxiety and depression of dementia patients? A quasi-experimental investigation. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2024 Oct;52:83-88. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2024.07.010. Epub 2024 Jul 8.
PubMed 39260989
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Support in Sound Music Therapy Research Project for People Living With Dementia and Companions in Rural Communities
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07693114
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 373716
- Conditions
- Dementia
- Keywords
- Dementia, Music Therapy, Community, Rural, Feasibility
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 14 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Anglia Ruskin UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 3 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 16 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 9 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this single-arm feasibility study is to learn whether group music therapy is feasible in a rural area for people living with dementia and their companions. The main questions are:
- Is a group music therapy intervention feasible in a rural community setting? 1a. Are there preliminary changes in health and well-being outcomes following participation in a 10-week community music therapy group?
- What were participants' experiences and preferences regarding the different components of the music therapy programme?
- What is the role of peer support in participants' experiences of a community music therapy intervention?
Participants living with dementia and their companions will be asked to take part in 10-weeks of music therapy in the community. Before and after each music therapy session, they will be asked to answer an easy-read satisfaction survey to gather information on the 'in the moment' experiences of music therapy.
Participants will also be asked to complete surveys on quality of life, loneliness, depression and well-being on three occasions:
- Before music therapy starts
- During week 5 of music therapy
- After music therapy
After music therapy, participants will also be asked to
- Complete a survey about their experiences of different parts of the music therapy programme
- Take part in an individual feasibility interview
- Take part in an interview exploring the role of peer support within the music therapy groups
If a person does not have the capacity to answer any questions, their companion will be asked to provide the information on behalf of the individual living with dementia.
Detailed description
Support in Sound is a 14-week research project for people living with dementia and their carers in Tarporley and the surrounding villages. The project explores how community-based group music therapy may support quality of life, social connection, depression and well-being for participants.
Research suggests that music therapy can have positive emotional and social benefits for people living with dementia. A study found that group music therapy significantly reduced anxiety and depression compared to usual care, with improvements still present three months later, suggesting possible longer-term mental health benefits. A Cochrane review also found that music-based therapeutic interventions may improve social behaviour, depressive symptoms, and overall behavioural symptoms in people with dementia. In addition, music therapy may help facilitate positive emotions and strengthen connections with significant others.
However, less is known about the practicalities, accessibility, and acceptability of delivering group music therapy in rural communities. People living in rural areas may have fewer opportunities to access support groups, wellbeing activities and meet with peers than those living in towns and cities. There is also limited research exploring the role of peer support and shared social experiences within group music therapy for people living with dementia and their carers.
Participants will be recruited from Tarporley and the surrounding villages in line with supporting the health and well-being of local residents living with dementia and their companions in the community. Recruitment posters will be advertised around the village and circulated with care groups in the area. Consent will be obtained from caregivers and individuals living with dementia if they have capacity to do so. Where a person does not have capacity, a consultee will complete a declaration form on behalf of the person living with dementia. Demographic data will be collected before the study commences.
The project consists of 2 weeks for baseline data collection, 10-weeks of group music therapy including data collection during week 5 and 2 weeks of data collection at the end of the study.
The music therapy will be delivered by a HCPC registered music therapist with experience of working with people living with dementia. The sessions will include singing, listening to music, playing with instruments and using music to enable social engagement. Sessions will include an opportunity for peers to socialise over tea, coffee and cake before and after each music therapy session. The team aims to recruit between 6 - 7 dyads.
Feasibility data will be collected to understand the practicality and acceptability of the study using the following data:
- Recruitment rates: Monitoring the number of people recruited
- Retention data: Monitoring the number of people who completed the study
- Adherence rates: Marking an online register each time a person attends a session
- Collecting current mood before and after each music therapy session and satisfaction at the end of each session
- An end of study feasibility interview with participants focused on the implementation, mechanisms of impact and context.
The potential preliminary changes in health and well-being of both persons living with dementia and their companions will be measured using the following data:
- Quality of life - DEMQOL and DEMQOL Proxy
- Loneliness - UCL Loneliness 3-point scale
- Depression - Short Geriatric Depression Scale
- Well-being - Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale
All participants will be asked to complete each of the outcome measures before music therapy, during week 5 of music therapy and at the end of music therapy to measure potential changes during the course of participating in music therapy.
Additional information will be requested to:
- Learn about the perceived satisfaction and value of each of the components of the music therapy programme. This data will be conducted using a survey designed on Microsoft Forms
- Learn about the potential role of peer support within the music therapy programme using a semi-structured interview guide.
Descriptive data will be analysed and there will be a repeated measures analysis. Interview data will be analysed qualitatively.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Music therapy group | Experimental | Behavioral: Group music therapyGroup music therapy will be delivered to participants for 10-weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- One person must have a clinical diagnosis of dementia and be accompanied by a companion
- Participants must be able to attend the 10-week programme, recognising that unavoidable absences (e.g., illness or unforeseen personal circumstances) may occur
- Be willing to provide data on health and well-being and take part in interviews.
- Be able to speak and understand the English language
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Individuals, as dyads are the participants being recruited
- Dyads were neither person has a clinical diagnosis of dementia
- Are unavailable to generally commit to the research programme including music therapy sessions
- Are unable to speak or understand the English language
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Group music therapyGroup music therapy will be held in the local community of Tarporley for 10 weeks. The music therapy will be delivered by a HCPC registered music therapist with experience of working with people living with dementia. Each session will be held for 1.5 hours: consisting of 1 hour of music therapy and the remaining time available for participants to have tea, coffee and cake providing an opportunity to talk and socialise. All participants will be provided with a name label before each session. The one hour of weekly music therapy will consist of singing, music listening, playing with instruments and interactive music making opportunities. | Behavioural | Music therapy group |
Primary outcome
Acceptability and practicality of the study
Time frame: From enrolment to the end of the 14-week research programme
The following feasibility measures will be collected to assess the acceptability and practicality of the study: number of participants who were recruited, adhered and retained to the study. Numerical levels of satisfaction throughout the duration of the study and qualitative details on feasibility from participants.
4 secondary outcomes
Dementia quality of life measure: DEMQOL
Time frame: Up to two weeks before the music therapy programme starts, again at week 5 and up to two weeks after music therapy programme.
UCLA 3-item Loneliness Scale
Time frame: Up to two weeks before the music therapy programme starts, again at week 5 and up to two weeks after music therapy programme.
Short Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS 15)
Time frame: Up to two weeks before the music therapy programme starts, again at week 5 and up to two weeks after music therapy programme.
Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale
Time frame: Up to two weeks before the music therapy programme starts, again at week 5 and up to two weeks after music therapy programme.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Jul 2026.
- Background: PubMed 37255758Hussain B, Mirza M, Baines R, Burns L, Stevens S, Asthana S, Chatterjee A. Loneliness and social networks of older adults in rural communities: a narrative synthesis systematic review. Front Public Health. 2023 May 15;11:1113864. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1113864. eCollection 2023.
- Background: PubMed 34585627Madso KG, Molde H, Hynninen KM, Nordhus IH. Observing Music Therapy in Dementia: Repeated Single-case Studies Assessing Well-being and Sociable Interaction. Clin Gerontol. 2022 Jul-Sep;45(4):968-982. doi: 10.1080/07317115.2021.1978121. Epub 2021 Sep 29.
- Background: PubMed 40049590van der Steen JT, van der Wouden JC, Methley AM, Smaling HJA, Vink AC, Bruinsma MS. Music-based therapeutic interventions for people with dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2025 Mar 7;3(3):CD003477. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003477.pub5.
- Background: PubMed 39260989Feng X, Dang W, Apuke OD. How does group music therapy help in combating the anxiety and depression of dementia patients? A quasi-experimental investigation. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2024 Oct;52:83-88. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2024.07.010. Epub 2024 Jul 8.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. All data collected including demographics, participants and information sheets, feasibility data, questionnaire data and interview data will be shared within the research team.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Group music therapy in people with Dementia, run by Anglia Ruskin University at 1 site in United Kingdom.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Kiera Kenny, PhD (+447979154869, kk79@aru.ac.uk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Acceptability and practicality of the study (time frame: From enrolment to the end of the 14-week research programme). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07693114, which also lists 4 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Jul 2026.