Media

HKU Centre on Behavioral Health to release research findings on "Effectiveness of a cultural-specific music intervention in managing agitation among elderly with Dementia in Hong Kong"

10 Jun 2016

The Elderly Services Section of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) invited the Centre on Behavioral Health of the University of Hong Kong to conduct a study on music and movement intervention on elders with dementia from October 2014 to September 2015. Based on the theories and practices of music and dance movement therapy, an intervention which integrated local music with simple body movement tailor-made for the elderly with dementia has been designed. The intervention provides elderly with activities of multiple stimulations, such as sensory, emotion, imagery and memory, and aims at improving their mood and agitated behaviours.

In response to the increasing needs of non-pharmacological treatment for dementia and care service for the elderly with dementia, the study adopted a train-the-trainer approach to provide basic music and  movement-related training to the staff in the TWGHs, hoping that it could generate a ripple effect to  benefit more elderly in need. The researchers also aim to raise the public awareness of non-pharmacological treatment, especially in the use of arts as an intervention medium, for elderly with dementia.

As we have been celebrating Father’s and Mother’s Day recently, the reveal in the findings the effectiveness of the intervention has opened an alternative to the caregiving for elderly parents. Media representatives are cordially invited to a press conference on the study findings. The staff of TWGHs, participants in the music and movement group and caregiver representatives will share their experience at the event with details are as follows:

Date: June 14, 2016 (Tuesday)
Time: 2:15 pm to 4:00 pm
Venue: Centre on Behavioral Health, the University of Hong Kong
2/F., The Hong Kong Jockey Club Building for Interdisciplinary Research, 5 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.

Representatives of related institutions including HKU, the TWGHs, and participant and caregiver representatives of the intervention will meet the media. The study report, an activity card of the music and movement group and “10 tips for taking care of parents with dementia” will be issued at the press conference. 

Guest

• Ms. Alice Leung
  TWGHs Assistant Community Service Secretary (Elderly services)
• Dr. Rainbow Ho
  Director of Centre on Behavioral Health, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, HKU; Registered Dance Movement Therapist; Registered Expressive Arts Therapist
• Participants and Caregiver representatives

Rundown　

1. Introduction of aim and background of the study （Ms. Alice Leung）
2. Sharing of research results and the development and application of non-pharmacological treatment for elderly with dementia（Dr. Rainbow Ho）
3. Sharing of experiences in participating the intervention　（Participant representative）
4. Sharing of the development of TWGHs dementia services　（Ms. Alice Leung）
5. Demonstration of the music and movement group

For details, please contact:
Ms. Janet Kwok, Project Manager (Dementia Care), TWGHs (Tel: 2865 7810/ email: janet.kwok@tungwah.org.hk)
Ms. Amy Choi, Senior Executive Assistant, Centre on Behavioral Health, HKU (Tel:2831 5163/ email: amychoi@hku.hk)
Ms. Joyce Sing, Research Executive, Centre on Behavioral Health, HKU (Tel: 2831 5216/ email: singcy@hku.hk)