Case study evaluation of live music-assisted reminiscence therapy group for mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia among Chinese Malaysians

Authors

  • Yong Jia Lim Faculty of Communication and Creative Industries, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Justine Jian Ai Thong Department of Psychology, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, HELP University, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Shu Yi Chung Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, HELP University, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Zi Bin Teoh Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, HELP University, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Xin Yi Lee Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, HELP University, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Yoong Yiin Choy Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, HELP University, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Alwin Ru Kiet Wong Department of Educational Studies and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
  • Shean Yih Soh Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Jane Tze Yn Lim Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Norfazilah Ahmad Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Donald Hong Huang Yeo Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts & Social Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
  • Kah Hui Yap Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v18i3.1088

Keywords:

Alzheimer's, dementia, music, reminiscence therapy, social prescribing

Abstract

Malaysia and its rapidly aging multi-ethnic population have an increasing need for culturally tailored dementia care. This study examined the feasibility of a live music-assisted reminiscence therapy group using culturally relevant Chinese music from the 1940s–1980s to support three Chinese Malaysian dyads of people with mild cognitive decline (mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia) and their caregivers. The intervention involved a single 60-minute session delivered by a professional clarinet quartet. Data were collected at baseline, and at one-week and four-week post-program. Outcome measures included the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire, Zarit Burden Interview-Short, and the Gain in Alzheimer Care Instrument, assessing neuropsychiatric symptoms, caregiver burden, and caregiving gains, respectively. Quantitative data were analyzed using reliable change indices, while qualitative data from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Two dyads reported improvements in neuropsychiatric symptoms, while one dyad reported reduced caregiver burden and another reported increased caregiving gains. Four themes emerged regarding program impact: (1) improved mood and happy recollections, (2) improved quality of life, (3) cultural considerations, and (4) changes to program structure. This study lays the groundwork for live music-assisted reminiscence therapy groups in Malaysia and highlights directions for future research.

 

Keywords: cognitive impairment, dementia, music, reminiscence therapy, social prescribing.

Author Biographies

Yong Jia Lim, Faculty of Communication and Creative Industries, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Yong Jia Lim is a clarinettist, performer-researcher, and Lecturer in Music at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology. His research primarily focuses on practice-led music performance research and historically informed performance practice, while also contributing to interdisciplinary research on music interventions and reminiscence studies.

Justine Jian Ai Thong, Department of Psychology, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, HELP University, Selangor, Malaysia.

Justine Jian Ai Thong is a Senior Lecturer and Clinical Psychologist at Monash University Malaysia. Her research focuses on the intersections of culture, religion, and indigenous psychology, with an emphasis on their applications to mental health and psychological well-being across diverse populations.

Shu Yi Chung, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, HELP University, Selangor, Malaysia.

Shu Yi Chung holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology from the Department of Psychology at HELP University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Cognitive Science at the University of Trento, Italy. Her research interests lie in cognitive neuroscience, with a particular focus on motor cognition.

Zi Bin Teoh, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, HELP University, Selangor, Malaysia.

Zi Bin Teoh is a PhD student in Psychology at Sunway University. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from HELP University. Her research interests focus on infant development, particularly the role of early social interactions in shaping later developmental outcomes.

Xin Yi Lee, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, HELP University, Selangor, Malaysia.

Xin Yi Lee holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from HELP University and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Her research interests focus on psychological interventions to promote mental well-being and youth mental health

Yoong Yiin Choy, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, HELP University, Selangor, Malaysia.

Yoong Yiin Choy is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology at HELP University, Malaysia. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from HELP University. Her research interests focus on self-compassion and psychological well-being.

Alwin Ru Kiet Wong, Department of Educational Studies and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Alwin Ru Kiet Wong is a registered counsellor, music educator, and flutist. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Guidance and Counselling.

Shean Yih Soh, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.

Shean Yih Soh is a medical lecturer and psychiatrist at Universiti Putra Malaysia. His clinical and research interests focus on neuropsychiatry and neurocognitive disorders.

Jane Tze Yn Lim, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Jane Lim Tze Yn is a medical lecturer and psychiatrist at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. She is actively involved in preventive medicine and has a special interest in adolescent mental health and the use of digital health interventions.

Norfazilah Ahmad, Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Norfazilah Ahmad is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. She specializes in epidemiology and medical statistics, with research focusing on the epidemiology of lifestyle diseases, including the health impacts of climate change, to advance public health outcomes.

Donald Hong Huang Yeo, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts & Social Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.

Donald Hong Huang Yeo is a Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist and Senior Lecturer at the National University of Singapore. His research and professional interests focus on dementia care, ageing, and creative arts and health innovation. As a certified supervisor and registered psychologist, he has contributed to the development of national programmes integrating arts and psychology, with a focus on evidence-based models that support community well-being and the implementation of creative arts and health interventions.

Kah Hui Yap, Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Kah Hui Yap is a Senior Lecturer and Clinical Neuropsychologist at the University of Malaya. His research focuses on cognitive impairment across a range of neurodegenerative disorders.

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Published

2026-07-26

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 3 (2026): July

Section

Full Length Articles