The development of a non-verbal communication based tool to measure engagement in those who are unable to self-report.

Objective: Music is widely known as a promising beneficial non-pharmacological approach for individuals with dementia. Although considerable research has been conducted on the relationship between music and health outcomes, this has tended to rely solely on self-report questionnaires. No research has observed aspects of engagement via video-recording. Aim: To see if it is viable to develop a non-verbal based method of measuring engagement in those who cannot self-report. A secondary study will aim to validate this tool. Method: 27 residents from Longlands Care Home attended 10 Live Music Now sessions; 3 of which were video-recorded and all behaviours were measured. Qualitative interviews were conducted with residents, staff and musicians. In the secondary study 12 students from the University of Essex observed a video-recorded live music performance; all behaviours were recorded and measured. Students completed engagement and mood questionnaires post intervention. Results: All behaviours were accounted for and analysed, engagement scores were computed. Results showed the tool was sensitive enough to detect a change and pick up small differences in engagement. The qualitative analysis suggested explanations as to how and why the implementation was successful. Results from the secondary study validated the new method of measuring engagement due to significant positive correlations with other verified measures of engagement. Conclusion: It has been viable to create a new method of measuring engagement which was sensitive enough to detect changes in engagement in those who cannot self-report. The tool was later validated when results were compared to those of verified measures of engagement.