Music Therapists’ Experiences of Providing Telehealth Music Therapy for People with Dementia

A Qualitative Exploration

Authors

  • Lisa Kelly Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland and Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
  • Hilary Moss Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland and Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
  • Ita Richardson Lero – The Research Ireland Centre for Software, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v25i2.3870

Keywords:

telehealth, music therapy, telehealth music therapy, dementia, accessibility

Abstract

Due to the impact of COVID-19, music therapy practice rapidly transitioned from the traditional in-person format to an online context. Despite the return of in-person services, telehealth music therapy has the potential to support people with dementia who do not have access to or are no longer able to attend in-person services. This qualitative exploration aims to contribute to the emerging literature on telehealth music therapy for people with dementia, providing practical recommendations for practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four senior music therapists who provided telehealth music therapy for people with dementia during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth music therapy appears to be a viable alternative to in-person music therapy, particularly for those people at the end stages of dementia, who have physical limitations, who have unreliable access to transport, or who are socially isolated. It is particularly appropriate for those who live in rural areas where access to community supports is limited. The delivery of music therapy via telehealth allows music therapists to continue to support people with dementia and their family from the comfort of their own homes when access to community-based services is no longer feasible. Barriers such as digital literacy, access to technology, and caregiver support must be acknowledged. Findings from this study indicate that a therapeutic relationship can be both established and maintained through music via telehealth music therapy.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants who generously shared their experiences as part of this study, including Prof. Gary Ansdell, Prof. Amy Clements Cortes, Dr. Claire Flower and Dr. Claire Molyneux.

Disclosure Statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Author Biographies

Lisa Kelly, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland and Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

Lisa Kelly, BA, MA, PhD. Dr. Lisa Kelly is a music therapist from Galway, Ireland. She completed her PhD on the topic of telehealth music therapy for people with dementia and their family caregivers at the University of Limerick in 2023.

Hilary Moss, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland and Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

Hilary Moss, MBA, PhD. Prof. Hilary Moss is the Course Director of the MA Music Therapy at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick.

Ita Richardson, Lero – The Research Ireland Centre for Software, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

Ita Richardson, MSc, PhD. Ita Richardson is Professor of Software Quality in the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems at the University of Limerick.

Author photo, 3870 Kelly et al.

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Published

2025-07-01

How to Cite

Kelly, L., Moss, H., & Richardson, I. (2025). Music Therapists’ Experiences of Providing Telehealth Music Therapy for People with Dementia: A Qualitative Exploration. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v25i2.3870

Issue

Section

Research