A pioneering project explores using AI and music to aid dementia in South Asian populations in the UK.
- MediMusic and Anglia Ruskin University received a £183,682 grant for their innovative study.
- The research focuses on personalized music therapy to reduce pain, stress, and anxiety.
- Initial trials showed a 25% reduction in heart rates of dementia patients using MediMusic.
- The study is a groundbreaking exploration into cultural inclusivity in dementia care.
Hull’s MediMusic, in collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University, has embarked on an innovative study funded by a £183,682 grant to explore the effectiveness of AI-powered music therapy for dementia patients of South Asian descent in the UK. This initiative marks a significant milestone, being the first research of its kind focused on this demographic within care homes.
The core objective of the study is to investigate whether tailored music therapy can alleviate common symptoms such as pain, stress, and anxiety in dementia patients. By enhancing the MediMusic app’s library with Indian and Pakistani tunes, researchers aim to provide culturally relevant musical experiences that resonate with the patients’ backgrounds.
Dr. Ming Hung Hsu, a senior research fellow at Anglia Ruskin University, emphasizes the excitement surrounding this unique study. He notes, “This research hasn’t been previously conducted among South Asian communities in care homes, but earlier work shows music’s joyful and calming potential for dementia sufferers and their caregivers.”
The study’s methodology involves exploring the cultural significance of South Asian music through interviews with care providers, followed by a controlled pilot study. This step will examine the feasibility of integrating music therapy into care practices to manage distress using the MediMusic app.
MediMusic’s system creates a ‘musical fingerprint’ by analyzing a song’s digital DNA, and tailors a 20-minute playlist based on factors such as age, gender, nationality, and ethnicity. This targeted approach influences various brain areas, potentially diminishing anxiety and pain. Initial trials at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust demonstrated promising results, including a notable reduction in patient heart rates by up to 25%.
The Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research at Anglia Ruskin University, a leader in music therapy research, is actively involved in this project. Their expertise, combined with MediMusic’s technology, offers a forward-thinking approach to enhancing dementia care.
This study could redefine dementia care for culturally diverse populations, offering a personalized approach to therapy.
