Group music therapy | Recreational choir singing | |
Core principles | Affect regulation and attunement Meet psychosocial needs Empathic relationship. | Sing familiar songs, learn new songs Cognitive activation Focus on melody, lyrics and rhythm. |
Core intentions | Facilitate and improve communication. Reduce behavioural and psychological symptoms through regulation of emotions. | Facilitate positive experience of self and others. Stimulate expression, semantic autobiographic memory and positive affect. |
Shared principles and intentions | Use and support remaining faculty of musical reminiscence. Tailor to individuals. Support social experience, stimulate social and emotional well-being. | |
Proscribed | Push participants to achieve goals. | Instrumental improvisation. |
Dementia inclusion criteria | All levels of dementia, but may be divided to form homogeneous groups. | All levels of dementia, but primarily mild to moderately severe dementia; mixed groups possible (inclusiveness). |
Group size | Approx. 5. | Approx. 10. |
Qualification of intervention provider | Music therapy degree; skilled musician; member of professional music therapy association or registration body. | Skilled musician, choir leading skills and relevant further training. |