In the moment with music: an exploration of the embodied and sensory experiences of people living with dementia during improvised music-making

This study explores the lived experiences of people with dementia who participate in 'Music in Mind,' a community-based improvisational music program. Moving away from traditional, clinically-focused 'pre-test/post-test' metrics that measure the success of music as a medical intervention for behavioral symptoms, the researchers adopted an embodied and sensory lens. By using video-based observation and video-elicitation interviews, the study aimed to understand how participants experience, interpret, and benefit from music in the here and now, focusing on the moment-to-moment interactions within the sessions.

The researchers identified four thematic observations that characterize 'in the moment' musical experiences for people living with dementia:

• Sharing a life story through music: Music acts as a medium through which participants can express personal history, cultural background, and emotional states, even when verbal recall is difficult.
• Musical agency: Participants demonstrated creativity, skilled performance, and personal choice in their instrument use, debunking the idea that dementia precludes meaningful contribution or artistic expression.
• Feeling connected: Music facilitates a non-verbal language that builds social cohesion and trust between participants, caregivers, and facilitators, fostering a sense of equality within the group.
• Musical ripples into everyday life: The benefits of the program were not contained within the session room; participants and their families reported sustained interest in music, increased social engagement, and broader participation in cultural activities outside the program.

This research challenges the prevailing biomedical narrative that views music solely as a tool to mitigate symptoms of dementia. By validating the 'in the moment' perspective, the study highlights the creative potential and selfhood of individuals often marginalized by their diagnosis. The findings suggest that programs focusing on co-creativity and embodied experience can significantly enhance the quality of life, dignity, and social connection for people living with dementia, providing a framework for future person-centered arts interventions.

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