Healthcare · Nov 3, 2026
Feasibility and Acceptability of a Nurse-Led Active Music Program for Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment in Long-Term Care: A Pilot Quasi-Experimental Study
By Villegas-Aparicio AB, Simonelli-Muñoz AJ, Jiménez-Rodríguez D et al.
Background/Objectives: Older adults with cognitive impairment living in long-term care facilities are a vulnerable population with complex cognitive, emotional, and social care needs. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a structured, nurse-led active music program and explored preliminary changes in cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and session-based engagement. Methods: A single-group quasi-experimental pre–post study was conducted in one long-term care facility. Eleven residents were enrolled, and nine completed an eight-session, four-week group intervention led by a registered nurse. Feasibility was assessed through retention, attendance, and intervention delivery, and acceptability through satisfaction and willingness to participate again. Cognitive function and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), respectively. Participation, sustained attention, and social interaction were recorded during each session. Pre–post changes were analyzed using exact Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: Retention was 81.8%. Among participants who completed the intervention, attendance was 100% (72/72 scheduled participant-sessions). Satisfaction was 5.00 ± 0.00, and all participants reported that they would be willing to participate again. Engagement scores were moderate to high across sessions. MoCA scores increased from 22.89 ± 2.20 to 23.89 ± 2.03 (p = 0.016), whereas GDS-15 scores showed no significant change (6.33 ± 1.00 vs. 6.00 ± 1.00; p = 0.250). Conclusions: The nurse-led active music program showed favorable feasibility and acceptability indicators in this long-term care setting. Preliminary findings regarding cognitive function warrant further investigation in larger controlled studies, whereas no measurable change in depressive symptoms was observed.