Singing Bowl Therapy and Dementia

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"Learning is the key to excellence." this phrase motivates me a lot. I don't think that my quench of knowledge has finished. Rather, I am continuously looking for something new information which I am now aware of. I believe that learning new discoveries and techniques makes a person up to date and can able to implement new ideas effectively and efficiently. To be able to learn new information, I have been reading many scholar's blogs and their researches and findings. In the current scenario, many practitioners are developing their own verse of therapy. They are mainly mixing up the therapies and then customizing it and believe me these customized therapies also work well. They already have tested with lots of clients. Like for example; singing bowl therapy along with yoga; BAST method of sound therapy (founded under British Academy of Sound Therapy), etc.

While I was searching some information on the internet about implications of the singing bowl, I found numerous researches on the topic. I would like to review some of the research articles in this blog and here goes my first research article review.

Using Sound Therapy to Ease Agitation amongst Persons with Dementia

Dr. Bulsara and Steuxner, a research fellow and Registered Nurse and accredited sound therapist both employees of Brightwater care group had conducted an experiment on the person having Dementia. The research was implemented at the Cove, a facility for dementia situated in Mandurah, Western Australia. The need of research was raised, when it was difficult to place the staff on the site due to high levels of agitation related behavior amongst the residents. The in-house sound therapist began Tibetan Singing Bowl Therapy sessions for the residents once per week and also arrange the music to be played during the night and day for those who would not settle down to sleep. This showed implication of sound therapy showed minimization of agitation amongst some residents. Here, agitation is defined as a behavior that is manifested in three ways -

• May be abusive or aggressive toward self or others

• May be appropriate behavior performed with inappropriate frequency, such as constantly asking questions.

• May be inappropriate according to social standards for the specific situations.

Methodology

The first pilot study was conducted in one of the Brightwater residential aged care facility with the objective to gain confidence over the research study and to alter any aspects if found problematic. After the pilot study, the research was conducted at the Cove. The adverse behavior of the residents, six months prior, were recorded. Then, a one-hour weekly session using Tibetan Singing Bowl Therapy was provided for one month period. The inventory validated Cohen Mansfield Agitation Inventory was administered before the session, at the midpoint and one month after the therapy session. The staffs were also administered before and after the completed session. Lastly, the residents' case studies were taken by the sound therapists.

Preliminary reports:

Before the session, the challenging behavior was recorded. The problematic areas were

Verbal and Physical aggression towards other residents and staff. Restlessness, poor appetite, and the refusal of food were also seen. In order to take care of personal tasks of the residents, they need up to three direct care staff.

About the staffs, all the respondents felt that the most challenging behavior was restlessness and agitation. The negative impacts of the challenging behaviors were time managements and preventing injuries to self and other residents.

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Findings

After one month of Tibetan singing bowl therapy, the residents were found to be:

• Less aggressive and they were less seen wandering at night times.
• Increased appetite.
• Found to be enjoying their life, E.g. Dances to music
• Sleeps better and they were seemed to be more confident.

Conclusions

The therapy with the person with dementia was relatively effective in minimizing agitation. The therapy has provided with benefits like improved sleep, appetite, and attention span; and notable there was a vast reduction of stress level in the staff.

This research suggests the benefits of Tibetan singing bowl therapy along with sound therapy. The research duration was just a month long with the session per week and the residents' behavior was improved a lot. So if this kind of therapy sessions are included at other services then the beneficiary will definitely get the advantages from the therapy.