Music Therapy and Social Work Telehealth for Healthy Aging
(Melo-SWell Trial)
Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
+1 other location
Age: 65+
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: Alaine E Hernandez, PhD
Disqualifiers: Substance use disorder, Sensory impairment, others
No Placebo Group
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
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.
Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on music therapy and social work support, so it's unlikely that your medications will be affected, but you should check with the research team to be sure.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Collaborative Social Work Telehealth, Collaborative Social Work Telehealth, Music Therapy Telehealth, Social Work Wellness Sessions via Telehealth, Independent Social Work Telehealth, Social Work Telehealth, Telehealth Social Work Support, Music Therapy Telehealth, Music Therapy Telehealth, Collaborative Music Therapy and Social Work Telehealth?
Research shows that telehealth interventions, including social work and therapeutic videoconferencing, are effective for managing chronic conditions and have high patient satisfaction. Telehealth social work has been positively received in primary care settings, and telehealth goal setting has shown good client engagement and satisfaction.12345
Is telehealth music therapy safe for humans?
Telehealth music therapy has been used safely in various settings, including for cancer patients and in intergenerational programs, with benefits like reduced anxiety and increased social support. While there are challenges like technology limitations, no specific safety concerns have been reported in the studies.678910
How does the treatment 'Music Therapy and Social Work Telehealth for Healthy Aging' differ from other treatments for healthy aging?
This treatment is unique because it combines music therapy and social work through telehealth, offering a holistic approach that addresses both emotional and social needs remotely. Unlike traditional in-person therapies, it leverages technology to increase access and support, which can be particularly beneficial for older adults who may have mobility or transportation challenges.6781011
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for older adults aged 65 or above, living in Kentucky, who speak English. Participants should be able to use Zoom or have someone to help them with it. It's not for those with substance use disorders or significant sensory impairments that affect Zoom usage, nor current recipients of music therapy and social work.Inclusion Criteria
I am familiar with or have someone to help me use video call apps like Zoom.
English-speaking
I am 65 years old or older.
See 2 more
Exclusion Criteria
I am currently receiving music therapy or have a social work case manager.
Significant sensory impairment that interferes with Zoom use
Substance use disorder, which could present a confounding variable relative to the aims
Trial Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
2 weeks
Enrollment and Randomization
Participants are enrolled, stratified, and randomly assigned to either the collaborative or non-collaborative condition
2 weeks
Treatment
Participants receive music therapy and social work interventions via telehealth
4 weeks
Weekly telehealth sessions
Follow-up
Social work follow-up sessions to monitor well-being and service quality
2 weeks
Telehealth sessions
Program Evaluation
Participants and interventionists engage in semi-structured qualitative interviews to evaluate the program
1 week
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Collaborative Social Work Telehealth (Behavioral Intervention)
- Independent Social Work Telehealth (Behavioral Intervention)
- Music Therapy Telehealth (Behavioral Intervention)
Trial OverviewThe study tests if telehealth services combining music therapy and social work can improve well-being and cognition in older adults. It compares two methods: one where participants receive both therapies independently, and another where the therapies are coordinated collaboratively.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: CollaborativeExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Social workers and music therapists work together, and information collected during music therapy informs social work wellness sessions following a protocol developed during the feasibility study.
There are 3 blocks of activities, identical to the non-collaborative arm:
* Weeks 1-2: enrollment, stratification, random assignment
* Weeks 3-6: music therapy and social work interventions
* Weeks 7-8: social work follow up.
Group II: Non-CollaborativePlacebo Group2 Interventions
Social workers and music therapists operate independently.
There are 3 blocks of activities, identical to the collaborative arm:
* Weeks 1-2: enrollment, stratification, random assignment
* Weeks 3-6: music therapy and social work interventions
* Weeks 7-8: social work follow up.
Collaborative Social Work Telehealth is already approved in United States for the following indications:
🇺🇸 Approved in United States as Collaborative Social Work Telehealth for:
- Improving well-being of older adults
- Reducing loneliness
- Improving cognition
- Supporting older adults with and without dementia
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO
University of KentuckyLexington, KY
Loading ...
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Alaine E Hernandez, PhDLead Sponsor
American Music Therapy AssociationCollaborator
American Music Therapy AssociationCollaborator
References
Therapeutic videoconferencing interventions for the treatment of long-term conditions. [2018]We conducted a systematic review of literature relating to videoconferencing in therapeutic interventions for chronic conditions. Two hundred articles were reviewed in detail, 35 of which were relevant to the study. Of these, eight were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the remainder were service evaluations, pilot studies and case studies. Two major themes emerged, relating specifically to videoconferencing: clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. There were 14 studies which measured clinical outcomes of interventions for chronic conditions delivered by videoconferencing. A range of evidence, including four RCTs of high quality, indicates that interventions for a variety of conditions, including psychological and physical, delivered by videoconferencing produce similar outcomes to treatment delivered in-person. Evidence suggests that levels of patient satisfaction with telerehabilitation are high and that the formation of a good therapeutic alliance is possible. Several papers reported that clinical staff showed lower levels of satisfaction in using telerehabilitation than patients. It is feasible to use videoconferencing as a means of delivering therapeutic interventions for people with chronic conditions in rural communities.
E-health tools and social workers. [2005]Social workers have been using telemedicine technologies since the late 1950's. The use of telemedicine has been most common in mental health practice. Psychotherapy using telephones, interactive video and more recently the Internet have gained in popularity with social workers in these settings. However, the use of e-health tools in medical social work is limited and worthy of further investigation. This paper will report promising projects with medical social workers and discuss the potential application of e-health tools for these practitioners. The purpose of the paper is to advocate for research measuring effectiveness of e-health interventions in social work practice.
Feasibility, Client Engagement, and Person-Centeredness of Telehealth Goal Setting and Goal Management Intervention. [2023]Telehealth-delivered goal setting and goal management may guide occupational therapists (OTs) to form a strong foundation of active client engagement and personally meaningful goals on which to base effective telehealth intervention. The objective was to determine the feasibility of a goal setting and goal management system, called MyGoals, delivered through telehealth and hybrid formats for adults with chronic conditions. This was a mixed-method feasibility study. The Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire and Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 measured credibility, expectancy, and satisfaction. The Goals and Participation subscales of the Client-Centredness of Goal Setting Scale measured engagement and person-centeredness. Targeted self-ratings measured change objective achievement. Individuals' perspectives on MyGoals' feasibility were further explored in semi-structured interviews. In telehealth (N = 8) and hybrid (N = 9) groups, MyGoals had good credibility (M = 25.5, SD = 1.9), expectancy (M = 23.4, SD = 3.3), satisfaction (M = 31.3, SD = 0.9), client engagement (M = 29.4, SD = 1.5), person-centeredness (M = 19.5, SD = 1.2), and change objective achievement (M = 9.6, SD = 0.2). The interview data suggested improvements for MyGoals. In conclusion, telehealth delivery of MyGoals is feasible to support goal setting and goal management for adults with chronic conditions.
Expanding Access to Social Support in Primary Care via Telemedicine: A Pilot Study. [2022]The coronavirus pandemic quickly exposed the need for efficient and widespread implementation of telehealth services. Additionally, it further unveiled the impact of social and environmental barriers to healthcare in underserved, rural populations. This in-practice pilot study tested the utility of a geographically centralized social worker providing services between a patient and a primary care provider via telecommunication at two high volume rural outpatient family practice clinics. Outcome measures included patient and provider satisfaction. Twenty-two telehealth social work encounters occurred spanning both adult and pediatric patients. Data collected from patients, primary care providers, and social work staff revealed positive feedback. The data from our small pilot study demonstrated that social work triage delivered via a tablet was an acceptable and valued resource in busy primary care practices.
A cluster randomised controlled trial on the efficacy of client-centred occupational therapy in multiple sclerosis: good process, poor outcome. [2019]To assess the efficacy of client-centred occupational therapy (OT) according to a client-centred process framework, as compared to usual care OT, in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Implementing Telehealth Music Therapy Services in an Integrative Oncology Setting: A Case Series. [2021]Providing music therapy in a medical setting has necessarily undergone major changes during the COVID-19 world pandemic. Many programs had to discontinue while others were able to transition to a telehealth model. This paper describes the process of conducting telehealth-based music therapy sessions within an integrative oncology setting in a large cancer hospital. Patients provide feedback regarding benefits and challenges of inpatient, outpatient, and group music therapy using a telehealth model. Benefits include anxiety reduction, increased coping skills, and increased social support. Unique challenges include technology limitations. We share examples of how we successfully adapted our workflows to provide telehealth-based music therapy in inpatient, outpatient, and group settings.
Embracing Technological Possibilities in the Telehealth Delivery of Interactive Music Therapy. [2023]Given how many music therapists have shifted their practice to telehealth in accordance with COVID-19 public safety precautions, it is essential for clinicians not only to adjust to the virtual platform, but to embrace the therapeutic potential of technological tools. Just as music is considered a therapeutic agent in music therapy sessions, the authors assert that technology may also be conceptualized and utilized as a means of enhancing therapeutic outcomes.
International Music Therapists' Perceptions and Experiences in Telehealth Music Therapy Provision. [2023]The use of telehealth within music therapy practice has increased through necessity in recent years. To contribute to the evolving evidence base, this current study on Telehealth Music Therapy (TMT) was undertaken to investigate the telehealth provision experiences of music therapists internationally. Participants completed an anonymous online cross-sectional survey covering demographics, clinical practice, telehealth provision, and telehealth perceptions. Descriptive and inferential statistics, in combination with thematic analysis, were used to analyze the data. A total of 572 music therapists from 29 countries experienced in providing TMT took part in this study. The results showed that the overall number of clinical hours (TMT and in-person hours combined) declined due to the pandemic. Participants also reported reduced perceived success rates in utilizing both live and pre-recorded music in TMT sessions when compared to in-person sessions. Although many music therapists rose to the challenges posed by the pandemic by incorporating TMT delivery modes, there was no clear agreement on whether TMT has more benefits than drawbacks; however, reported benefits included increased client access and caregiver involvement. Furthermore, a correlation analysis revealed moderate-to-strong positive associations between respondents who perceived TMT to have more benefits than drawbacks, proficiency at administering assessments over telehealth, and perceived likelihood of using telehealth in the future. Regarding the influence of primary theoretical orientation and work setting, respondents who selected music psychotherapy as a primary theoretical orientation had more experience providing TMT prior to the pandemic while those primarily working in private practice were most inclined to continue TMT services post-pandemic. Benefits and drawbacks are discussed and future recommendations for TMT are provided.
Neurologic Music Therapy via Telehealth: A Survey of Clinician Experiences, Trends, and Recommendations During the COVID-19 Pandemic. [2021]This cross-sectional survey investigated the transition of Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) services from in-person (pre-COVID-19) to telehealth (since COVID-19) to (1) determine whether the use of an NMT paradigm contributes to the successful transition of therapy services to telehealth, (2) identify which NMT domains and techniques are transferable from in-person to telehealth, (3) identify whether there are differences in the transition of NMT services across different employment settings, and (4) evaluate the potential benefits and challenges of telehealth NMT. An online survey comprised of 49 closed and open-ended questions was distributed by the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy to 2,778 NMT affiliates worldwide. The survey sought information on demographics, telehealth perceptions, technology, assessment, clinical practice, safety, and caregiver involvement. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were applied. Eighty-one participants answered the survey and the 69 who completed the survey in its entirety were included in the analysis. Results indicated that the frequency of NMT technique usage had no impact on the overall number of clinical hours retained over telehealth. Correlation analysis revealed an association between more frequent NMT usage and perceived likelihood of using telehealth in the future (i.e., once COVID-19 is no longer a major threat), as well as with fewer group sessions lost over telehealth. All NMT domains transferred to telehealth, although within the sensorimotor domain, fewer therapists implemented rhythmic auditory stimulation for telehealth sessions compared to in-person. Overall, NMTs had fewer hours for telehealth compared to in-person regardless of employment setting. Technological challenges were notable drawbacks, while major benefits included the ability to continue providing NMT when in-person sessions were not possible, increased accessibility for remote clients, and positive outcomes related to increased caregiver involvement. Based on the results, our recommendations for implementing telehealth in Neurologic Music Therapy include integrating telehealth into routine care, mitigating safety concerns, identifying those who could benefit most from remote delivery, involving caregivers, and developing/sharing resources for telehealth NMT.
Examining Cross-Age Experiences in a Distance-Based Intergenerational Music Project: Comfort and Expectations in Collaborating With Opposite Generation Through "Virtual" Exchanges. [2020]There has been an increase in the number of music-based intergenerational programs conducted by music therapists as part of wellness and intergenerational music therapy programs. Research has shown that intergenerational music therapy programs have improved cross-age attitudes, interactions, and older adults' psychosocial well-being. Anecdotal evidence indicates that one of the challenges for creating music-based intergenerational programs is finding agencies that serve younger and older generations within close proximity to one another. We sought to remedy this problem with the integration of "virtual" technology. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in cross-age comfort, expectations after experiencing "virtual" exchanges, and preconceived notions of older and younger persons enrolled in a distance-based intergenerational project. A secondary purpose was to determine what intergenerational project factors were most enjoyable for older and younger participants. Eighteen older adults (61 through 79 years old) from an intact music-therapy choir along and 14 younger children from an intact community choir (9 through 14 years old) served as participants for the current study. All participants experienced the 4-week distance-based intergenerational program that consisted of: (a) two group "virtual" exchanges, (b) two reflective journals related to the "virtual" exchanges, (c) an in-person half-day music-therapy intergenerational workshop, and (d) a joint performance. Cross-age comfort, preconceived notions, expectations, and preference factors were examined through pre-test and post-test measurements. Results indicated an increase in older adults' comfort level collaborating with children after participation in the intergenerational music project. The majority of younger (64%) and older (69%) participants indicated that their preconceived notions about the other generation were different and positive from what they initially thought prior to the project. Both generations indicated an improvement in cross-age attitudes and interactions due to the collaboration process ("virtual" exchange, workshop, and joint-performance) and the cross-age interactions during the project. These findings suggest that music therapists can foster cross-age interactions and relationships between generations that are not within close proximity of one another by using a combination of "virtual" and "live" interactions as an intervention for enhancing the overall quality of life among older adults.
Adaptation of Music Therapists' Practice to the Outset of the COVID-19 Pandemic-Going Virtual: A Scoping Review. [2021]Background: In the midst of a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, music therapists previously not involved in telehealth had to develop effective remote forms of music therapy. The objective of this review was to systematically explore how music therapists previously working in-person adapted to the transfer to remote forms of therapy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Methods: We searched Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, Medline, ProQuest Central, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and PsyARTICLES, grey literature (to October 2020), and websites of professional organizations. We followed the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. Results: Out of the 194 screened texts, we included ten very heterogeneous articles with an overall very low quality. Most texts described remote therapy in the form of synchronous video calls using the Internet, one paper described a concert in a patio of a residential home. We report the authors' experience with the adaptation and activities, challenges and benefits of remote forms of therapy, recommendations of organizations, and examples and tips for online therapies. Conclusions: Music therapists have adapted the musical instruments, the hours, the technology used, the therapeutic goals, the way they prepared their clients for sessions, and other aspects. They needed to be more flexible, consult with colleagues more often, and mind the client-therapist relationship's boundaries. It seems, when taken as a necessary short-term measure, online music therapy works sufficiently well. The majority of papers stated that benefits outweighed the challenges, although many benefits were directly linked with the pandemic context.