“That Patchwork Quilt you made”: Musictherapy and depressive symptoms in institutionalized elderly individuals
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33871/2317417X.2026.23.12051Keywords:
Elderly. Depression, Music Therapy, Long-Term Care Institutions, Mental HealthAbstract
The rapid aging of the Brazilian population is accompanied by an increase in depressive symptoms among institutionalized older adults. Given the need for non-pharmacological approaches, this study investigated the effects of a group music therapy intervention in a long-term care facility (LTCF) in Belo Horizonte. An exploratory mixed-methods research was conducted with seven participants over ten weeks, structured around the “Patchwork Quilt” narrative axis, utilizing Neurologic Music Therapy and experiences of listening, improvisation, re-creation, and composition. Data were collected using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), the Cognitive Assessment of the Elderly in Music Therapy (ACPIM), and field diaries. Quantitative analysis (GEE, HLM, and 4PL models) revealed no significant changes at the group level; however, idiographic analysis showed subjectively relevant clinical trajectories. Data triangulation indicated improvements in engagement, emotional vitality, and the strengthening of social bonds. Heterogeneous response patterns were observed, suggesting that clinical benefits can occur independently of standardized metrics. It is concluded that music therapy is a relevant complementary strategy for the mental health of institutionalized older adults, promoting the reorganization of biographical fragments and a sense of belonging. The study highlights the importance of individualized clinical analysis in complex functional contexts.
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