Combining music and life story to enhance participation in family interaction in semantic dementia: a longitudinal study of one family's experience. Issue 2 (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kindell, Jackie; Wilkinson, Ray; Sage, Karen; Keady, John
• Is Part Of: Arts & health. Volume 10:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 165
• Page End: 180
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: Semantic dementia -- life story -- music -- interaction -- intervention; Arts -- Therapeutic use -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 615.8515
• DOI: 10.1080/17533015.2017.1342269
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-3015

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Semantic dementia is a rarer dementia, classified as a type of frontotemporal dementia and a variant of primary progressive aphasia. Studies examining conversation in this condition and interventions to enhance participation in family life present as gaps in the research literature. Methods: Working with one family on a longitudinal basis, this study used conversation analysis and narrative analysis to provide a detailed assessment of communication . This information was used to design an individually tailored life story intervention to facilitate family interaction: a co-produced life story music DVD. Results: This intervention offered the family a resource that allowed the person with semantic dementia to display areas of retained competence and enhanced participation in interaction in a way that was not typically present in everyday conversation. Conclusions: It is argued that fostering greater opportunities for such in-the-moment connections is an important goal for intervention, particularly when language may be significantly compromised.