Music therapy: A catalyst for promoting well being of institutionalised seniors

The study was planned to assess the impact of music therapy on the general mood of institutionalised seniors objectively and to assess the general benefits experienced by the stakeholders subjectively. 15 elderly inmates (5 male and10 female) from a government-run old age home in Kerala, (India) were the subjects of this study. The study employed a sequential design with a one-group before-after experimental design in the first phase over a period of six months followed by a qualitative exploration through interviews sampling The therapy was designed and carried out by professional music therapists based on Carnatic music. The research findings revealed significant improvements in the mood of the participants. Besides, all the participants reported the therapy to be beneficial in three broad domains viz. physical, psychological, and social; multiple benefits reported under each domain through interviews. It may be concluded that the Music therapy has perceivable benefits on the lives of institutionalised seniors both from objective and subjective vantage points. It could, hence, be used as an intervention strategy to promote well being among institutionalised seniors.