Using music to engage people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease gently

Guglielmo Foffani

Fundación Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Neurológicas, Spain

People with advanced Alzheimer’s disease often experience severe cognitive impairment, communication difficulties and low motivation, making group activities and many non-drug interventions more difficult at this stage. This project aims to evaluate a structured live music intervention designed for people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease to improve comfort, engagement and quality of life in residential care.

The project involves experts in dementia care, music-based interventions and clinical assessment. A facilitator will guide sessions that combine musical improvisation with a clear narrative structure to promote attention, emotional engagement and participation with low distress. The pilot study will assess whether the intervention is feasible, acceptable and improves meaningful engagement in group activities. It will also evaluate its short-term impact on comfort and behavioural stability.

By targeting people often excluded from conventional programmes, this structured yet flexible programme could improve care in advanced dementia, which may support a broader use of a humane, engaging and non-pharmacological intervention in residential settings.

Non-pharmacological group intervention via narratively structured musical improvisation in advanced Alzheimer’s disease

€80.000,00