Active music-making together with a musical facilitator helps reduce challenging behaviour in adults with a mild to moderate intellectual disability. Music intervention not only has positive effects on the participants themselves, but also contributes to the wellbeing of support staf.
This is evident from research by behavioural specialist Gerianne Smeets.
Smeets investigated how music interventions can help reduce challenging behaviour (CB) and improve wellbeing in adults with a mild to moderate intellectual disability (ID). People with an ID often experience CB, psychological problems and reduced executive functioning, which affects their quality of life. Various studies show that music can have positive effects on behaviour, mood and mental health. Smeets demonstrates that especially individual, active and physical music sessions are effective and feasible. They reduce CB, anxiety and depression and support positive emotions.
Less anxiety and depression
“My colleagues and I see reductions in anxiety and depression, which indicate improved emotional wellbeing. Although making music is effective, it remains unclear whether it is more effective than other recreational activities. People with CB experience the music intervention positively, and it appears feasible in practice. In our research, we identified four success factors: individual sessions work better than group sessions; sessions must be sufficiently long, intensive and frequent; physical sessions are more effective than online sessions; and the intervention must be well structured, with clear behavioural goals,” Smeets explains.
In the Netherlands, nearly 1.5% of the population has an intellectual disability. Almost 20% of them exhibit challenging behaviour, such as sadness or aggression, which negatively affects their own quality of life and that of those around them. People with an intellectual disability often struggle with executive functions such as impulse control, mental flexibility and working memory, and they more frequently experience psychological problems, stress, social isolation and low self-esteem. Music interventions can strengthen executive functioning, mood, self-confidence and social interaction. Previous research shows positive effects among various groups, including children and people with dementia and autism spectrum disorder. There are also indications of such effects in people with an intellectual disability, although the evidence often has methodological limitations. “That is why my research focuses on evaluating different (digital) music interventions in Dutch residential facilities, in order to gain more insight into the effectiveness and feasibility of music interventions for people with an intellectual disability,” says Smeets.
Structured weekly music intervention is effective
Smeets, who works as a behavioural expert at care foundation Philadelphia (Stichting Philadelphia Zorg), shows that a structured, weekly music intervention with clear goals and sufficient duration (at least sixteen sessions) can effectively help reduce challenging behaviour, anxiety and depression in people with an intellectual disability. “In Dutch care institutions, music is still often used recreationally rather than purposefully. There is a clear gap between scientific knowledge and its practical application. It is therefore important that knowledge about music interventions is better transferred to support staff, especially given challenges such as staff shortages and workload. Music interventions do not need to be carried out only by music therapists; support workers can provide them as well. This requires some musical affinity, the use of a manual, and a good relationship with the client. In this way, music can structurally contribute to the wellbeing of people with an intellectual disability and their support staff,” Smeets concludes.
Foto met dank aan Stichting Philadelphia Zorg