A new study suggests that music therapy could help improve care for people with dementia in NHS hospitals.
The treatment, called MELODIC, was tested on two dementia wards by researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.
People with dementia who are admitted to hospital often experience serious confusion and distress. Staff usually rely on strong medications to manage these symptoms, but there is a growing need for safer and more compassionate alternatives.
In the pilot study, a trained music therapist worked directly on the hospital wards. Patients received music therapy sessions, and each person had a personalized care plan involving music. These plans included singing, listening to music, and even playing instruments—activities that could also be continued by families and carers at home.
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, found that music therapy slightly improved patients’ quality of life and reduced some distress symptoms. There were no safety issues or negative effects reported, even in a busy and challenging hospital setting.
Although patients showed a small increase in agitation, other signs of distress and disruptiveness decreased. The fact that no new incidents were reported is important because very few studies have been done in this kind of mental health ward for dementia patients.
Lead researcher Naomi Thompson from ARU said the results were promising. “People with dementia on hospital wards often experience high levels of distress, and this approach gives staff another way to care for them besides using medication,” she said.
The MELODIC program was shaped by talking to 49 people, including patients, families, and healthcare workers. They shared their experiences of managing distress and using music in everyday life. This feedback helped design the therapy program.
The cost of the intervention was also low. The program required only £2,025 per month for the therapist and a one-time equipment cost of £400, making it an affordable option for wider use in the NHS.
Dr. Ben Underwood, a consultant psychiatrist involved in the project, said: “It can be really hard for patients and staff when people with dementia become confused and distressed in the hospital. I’m excited that music therapy could offer a better experience for everyone.”
This study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and offers hope for more caring, creative ways to help people with dementia in hospitals.
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The study is published in Frontiers in Psychiatry.
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