Music Therapy and Social Work Telehealth for Healthy Aging

(Melo-SWell Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+1 other location

Overseen by Allison Gibson, PhD

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. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

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. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

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. ^{6 7 8 10 11}

Research Team

Alaine E Reschke-Hernandez, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Kentucky

Allison Gibson, PhD

Principal Investigator

St. Louis University

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.

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 Overview The 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

Group I: Collaborative Experimental Treatment 2 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-Collaborative Placebo Group 2 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.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Alaine E Hernandez, PhD

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2

Recruited

70+

American Music Therapy Association

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

80+

American Music Therapy Association

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

80+

Findings from Research

A systematic review of 200 articles identified that videoconferencing for therapeutic interventions in chronic conditions yields clinical outcomes comparable to in-person treatments, supported by evidence from four high-quality randomized controlled trials.

Patient satisfaction with telerehabilitation is generally high, indicating that a strong therapeutic alliance can be formed, although clinical staff reported lower satisfaction levels compared to patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic videoconferencing interventions for the treatment of long-term conditions. Steel, K., Cox, D., Garry, H.[2018]

Telemedicine has been utilized by social workers since the 1950s, primarily in mental health, with increasing use of technologies like telephones, video, and the Internet for psychotherapy.

There is a need for more research on the effectiveness of e-health tools in medical social work, as their application in this field is currently limited despite promising projects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

E-health tools and social workers. Parker Oliver, D., Demiris, G.[2005]

The MyGoals system, delivered through telehealth and hybrid formats, demonstrated good feasibility for goal setting and management among adults with chronic conditions, with high scores in credibility, satisfaction, and client engagement based on a mixed-method study involving 17 participants.

Participants reported positive experiences with MyGoals, indicating that it effectively supports personalized goal management, although feedback from interviews suggested areas for improvement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility, Client Engagement, and Person-Centeredness of Telehealth Goal Setting and Goal Management Intervention. Kang, E., Chen, J., Foster, ER.[2023]

A pilot study involving 22 telehealth social work encounters in rural outpatient clinics showed that telecommunication services effectively connected patients with social workers and primary care providers.

Feedback from patients and providers indicated high satisfaction with the telehealth social work model, suggesting it is a valuable resource for addressing healthcare needs in underserved populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Expanding Access to Social Support in Primary Care via Telemedicine: A Pilot Study. Fipps, DC., Vickers, KS., Bergstedt, B., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 269 outpatients with multiple sclerosis across 13 centers, client-centred occupational therapy did not show significant improvements in primary outcomes like disability and participation compared to usual care OT.

While client-centred therapy was favored in terms of process outcomes, it resulted in small negative effects on secondary outcomes such as fatigue and health-related quality of life, suggesting a need to reevaluate its application in practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A cluster randomised controlled trial on the efficacy of client-centred occupational therapy in multiple sclerosis: good process, poor outcome. Eyssen, IC., Steultjens, MP., de Groot, V., et al.[2019]

Telehealth-based music therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic has proven effective in reducing anxiety and enhancing coping skills for cancer patients, as reported through patient feedback.

While transitioning to a telehealth model presented challenges, such as technology limitations, the program successfully adapted to continue providing music therapy in various settings, including inpatient and outpatient care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementing Telehealth Music Therapy Services in an Integrative Oncology Setting: A Case Series. Folsom, S., Christie, AJ., Cohen, L., et al.[2021]

Telehealth has opened new avenues for music therapy, allowing therapists to enhance therapeutic outcomes by utilizing technology as a tool for client engagement and relationship building.

The study highlights specific strategies for music therapists, such as screen-sharing and encouraging clients to use technology for self-disclosure, which can improve client agency and self-efficacy during virtual sessions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Embracing Technological Possibilities in the Telehealth Delivery of Interactive Music Therapy. Cephas, AS., Sofield, S., Millstein, A.[2023]

A survey of 572 music therapists from 29 countries revealed that the overall clinical hours for Telehealth Music Therapy (TMT) decreased during the pandemic, and therapists reported lower success rates with TMT compared to in-person sessions.

Despite challenges, many therapists found benefits in TMT, such as increased client access and caregiver involvement, and those who felt TMT had more benefits were more likely to continue using it in the future.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

International Music Therapists' Perceptions and Experiences in Telehealth Music Therapy Provision. Clements-Cortés, A., Pranjić, M., Knott, D., et al.[2023]

The transition of Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) services from in-person to telehealth was generally successful, with all NMT domains being transferable, although some techniques like rhythmic auditory stimulation were less frequently used in telehealth sessions.

Key benefits of telehealth NMT included continued service delivery during COVID-19, increased accessibility for remote clients, and enhanced caregiver involvement, despite facing technological challenges and a reduction in overall clinical hours compared to in-person sessions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neurologic Music Therapy via Telehealth: A Survey of Clinician Experiences, Trends, and Recommendations During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Cole, LP., Henechowicz, TL., Kang, K., et al.[2021]

The study involved 18 older adults and 14 younger children participating in a 4-week distance-based intergenerational music program, which included virtual exchanges and a joint performance, leading to increased comfort levels and improved attitudes between the two age groups.

Both younger and older participants reported positive changes in their preconceived notions about each other, highlighting the effectiveness of combining virtual and live interactions in fostering meaningful cross-age relationships and enhancing the quality of life for older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining Cross-Age Experiences in a Distance-Based Intergenerational Music Project: Comfort and Expectations in Collaborating With Opposite Generation Through "Virtual" Exchanges. Belgrave, MJ., Keown, DJ.[2020]

Music therapists successfully adapted to remote therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily using synchronous video calls, although the quality of the studies reviewed was generally low.

Despite challenges, most therapists reported that the benefits of online music therapy outweighed the difficulties, indicating that this approach can be effective as a temporary solution during the pandemic.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adaptation of Music Therapists' Practice to the Outset of the COVID-19 Pandemic-Going Virtual: A Scoping Review. Kantorová, L., Kantor, J., Hořejší, B., et al.[2021]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic videoconferencing interventions for the treatment of long-term conditions. [2018]

2. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

E-health tools and social workers. [2005]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility, Client Engagement, and Person-Centeredness of Telehealth Goal Setting and Goal Management Intervention. [2023]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Expanding Access to Social Support in Primary Care via Telemedicine: A Pilot Study. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A cluster randomised controlled trial on the efficacy of client-centred occupational therapy in multiple sclerosis: good process, poor outcome. [2019]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementing Telehealth Music Therapy Services in an Integrative Oncology Setting: A Case Series. [2021]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Embracing Technological Possibilities in the Telehealth Delivery of Interactive Music Therapy. [2023]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

International Music Therapists' Perceptions and Experiences in Telehealth Music Therapy Provision. [2023]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neurologic Music Therapy via Telehealth: A Survey of Clinician Experiences, Trends, and Recommendations During the COVID-19 Pandemic. [2021]

10. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining Cross-Age Experiences in a Distance-Based Intergenerational Music Project: Comfort and Expectations in Collaborating With Opposite Generation Through "Virtual" Exchanges. [2020]

11. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adaptation of Music Therapists' Practice to the Outset of the COVID-19 Pandemic-Going Virtual: A Scoping Review. [2021]