A Home-Based Dyadic Music-with-Movement Intervention for People with Dementia and Caregivers: A Hybrid Type 2 Cluster-Randomized Effectiveness-Implementation Design

BACKGROUND: Integrating evidence-based music-with-movement into routine practices for people with dementia requires effective implementation strategies. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the intervention and to examine the effectiveness of the implementation strategies in promoting home-based adoption. METHODS: This was a cluster randomized controlled trial adopting a clinical effectiveness-implementation hybrid design. The 12-week music-with-movement intervention aims to promote the well-being of people with dementia and their caregivers. Clinical outcomes were assessed to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention. These included the symptoms of anxiety and depression of people with dementia; caregivers’ perception of their stress and the positive aspects of caregiving; and the quality of the dyadic relationship. Caregivers, staff, and volunteers were interviewed and objective figures on reach and adoption were collected to reflect the outcomes of the implementation. RESULTS: Compared to the waitlist control, there was a significant reduction in the anxiety and the symptoms of depression of those in the intervention group. There was also a significant reduction in the perceived stress level of the caregivers. Six focus group interviews were conducted. The intervention and the appropriateness of the implementation strategies were perceived positively by the dyad participants, the staff of the centres, and volunteers. Of the collaborating centres, 57% continued to use the intervention and, after six months, served six times more people than were recruited in this study. Over half of the participating families continued to use the intervention for at least six more months. CONCLUSION: Music-with-movement interventions showed promise for improving the well-being of people with dementia and their caregivers. Effective strategies facilitated the implementation process, such as integrating communication technology to provide instant support and involving volunteers in engaging the collaborating centres and families. This study sheds light on perceptions of the intervention, and on its scalability for a broader population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03575026, Registered 2 July 2018.