CoMPoSER, Developing a Music-Based Sleep App for Patients With Dementia and Caregivers: Darina Petrovsky, PhD, RN

WATCH TIME: 5 minutes

"When we surveyed sleep applications out in the market, we found that there was really a gap in terms of products that were developed with older adults in mind."

Recent studies reveal that music interventions may show promise to address sleep disturbances that most patients with dementia experience, since long-term memory for music remains relatively preserved in this patient population. A qualitative interview study presented at the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, July 28 to August 1, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, provided insights on simplistic features, navigation, and colors of a potential application, entitled “Calming Music Personalized for Sleep Enhancement in PeRsons living with Dementia (CoMPoSER).”¹

Conducted by lead author Darina Petrovsky, PhD, RN, and colleagues, the first step of the study consisted of 13 virtual interviews with 20 stakeholders (patients, n = 7; caregivers, n = 13), 5 of which included dyads (n = 3) or triads (n = 2) of patients with dementia and their caregivers. During the interview, the participants noted that the mobile application was simplistic and easy to navigate. Investigators also captured preferred styles of music that patients with dementia and caregivers enjoy listening to and the high potential usefulness of the mobile application. Additionally, participants conveyed their different levels of comfort with technology.

Before the conference, Petrovsky, an assistant professor at Duke University School of Nursing, sat down with NeurologyLive^® in an interview to discuss the specific features that participants suggested for the CoMPoSER app to improve usability for individuals with dementia. She also briefly talked about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the data collection process for this study. Moreover, Petrovsky spoke about the next steps in the project following the initial round of interviews.

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REFERENCES
1. Petrovsky D, et al. “I Find that the Music Really Do Help Them Calm Down”: Qualitative Interviews to Support the Development of a Music-based Application to Improve Sleep Disturbances in Persons Living with Dementia. Presented at: 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference; July 18 to August 1; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Abstract 639.