Music Therapy to Prevent Hospital-acquired Delirium in Parkinson's Disease and Dementia With Lewy Bodies

Study Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether a music therapy intervention (MT) prevents hospital-acquired delirium (HaD) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). Delirium is defined as a mental state in which you are confused, disoriented, and not able to think or remember clearly. It can start suddenly and is usually temporary. It is common among patients with PD/DLB during hospitalization. We are conducting a randomized controlled feasibility pilot study of music therapy (MT) in patients with PD/DLB in the inpatient acute hospital setting. We are testing if receiving music therapy lowers the risk of delirium, compared to other interventions. We are also testing if music therapy lowers the need for certain restraints and medications during the hospitalization. Participants admitted to UMass Memorial Medical Center will be invited to participate. Participants will be asked to undergo a music therapy intervention for 30 minutes 3 times per week, and to listen to personalized music playlists for 60 minutes 4 times per week. Participants will be assessed for HaD every 24 hours, and will undergo additional surveys and questionnaires. Researchers will compare the music therapy intervention to two another comparison groups: one group assigned to listen to music on their own, and one group assigned to receive only standard treatments. About one-third of the participants will be assigned to each of the three study groups.

Primary Outcome

A brief screening tool to assess for presence or absence of delirium

Interventions

• BEHAVIORAL Music therapy intervention
• OTHER Standard Care (in control arm)