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Utilising memorable music through a smartphone app to to aid medication adherence: A mixed methods cohort study

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Abstract

Objective: Medication non-adherence is a persistent challenge among older adults managing chronic conditions. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of MedTracks, a smartphone application using personally meaningful music as push-notification reminders for medication adherence in adults aged 40 and over at elevated risk of dementia.

Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-methods feasibility study was conducted with NHS Highland. Thirty-one participants (median age 69) were recruited through three general practices in Inverness and used MedTracks for 30 days. Quantitative outcomes were assessed using the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-10; n = 25) and System Usability Scale (SUS; n = 24) at baseline and day 29. Semi-structured interviews (n = 15) were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: The forgetting item (Q4) showed a statistically significant improvement (Wilcoxon p = .014; paired t-test p = .004; Cohen's d = 0.633), with 40% of participants improving by one category. This finding held under sensitivity analysis for missing data (p = .005). Most remaining items showed ceiling effects at baseline, leaving minimal room for improvement. Five qualitative themes were identified, with music-based reminders generating the highest engagement (61 positive vs 18 negative coded segments).

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first empirical study to evaluate music as a behavioural cue for medication adherence. The results demonstrate feasibility and acceptability, with statistically significant improvement in self-reported forgetting despite high baseline adherence. Music-based reminders were perceived as more engaging than standard notifications. Further research with larger samples, a control condition, and objective adherence measures is warranted.

Assessing Wellbeing in People Living with Dementia Using Reminiscence Music with a Mobile App (Memory Tracks): A Mixed Methods Cohort Study

Abstract

The number of people living with dementia is growing, leading to increasing pressure upon care providers. The mechanisms to reduce symptoms of dementia can take many forms and have the aim of improving the wellbeing and quality of life of the person living with dementia and those who care for them. Besides the person who has dementia, the condition has a profound impact upon their loved ones and carers. One therapeutic approach is the use of music, an area recognised as having potential benefit, but requiring further research. The present paper reports upon a mixed methods cohort study that examines the use of a musical mobile app as a way to promote song-task association in people living with dementia.

The study took place in care home environments in the UK. A total of fourteen participants (N = 14) were recruited. Quantitative measurements were taken on a daily basis prior to, and during, use of the mobile app over several weeks. Metrics came from the complete Self-Assessment Manikin scale (arousal, valence, and dominance), and a subset of three from the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease questionnaire (physical health, memory, and life as a whole). Subsequently, semistructured interviews were conducted with staff at the care home to assess the impact of the app upon their role and the residents they care for. No significant differences were found in the combined quantitative measures for the ten (n = 10) sets of responses sufficient to be analysed. However, the qualitative results suggest that use of the mobile app produced positive changes in terms of behaviour, ability, and routine in the life of residents living with dementia.

These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence-based research in the field of musical therapies for reducing symptoms of dementia and highlight elements where further study is warranted.