Date of Award
Spring 2022
Rights
Access is available to all users
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS) in Dental Hygiene
Department
Dental Hygiene
Abstract
Purpose: Current literature was aimed to explore CNAs attitudes, knowledge, and expectations on the use of music for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)/dementia while providing oral care.
Methods: A single survey, 5-point Likert scale survey that included demographic and qualitative questions, was posted on a private CNA Facebook group page. The survey was posted to explore attitudes, knowledge, and expectations of CNAs towards the use of music therapy. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and thematic coding.
Results: A convenience sample of (N = 55) CNAs participated in the study. IBM SPSS® version 28.0.1 was used to analyze the data. Most CNAs (72.9%) have a positive attitude towards the effects of music for individuals with AD and another forms of dementia but only 52.7% (n=29) utilized music therapy within their daily tasks. CNAs (81.8%) possessed adequate knowledge but indicated more training. Half the participants reported that they lacked resources and time to implement music therapy in practice. No statistical significance (p = 0.05) was found among the participants with less education vs more education, <35 years old vs >35 years old, and <5years work experience vs >5 years’ work experience. A review of qualitative responses about attitudes and expectations found the majority of CNAs (80%; n = 44) felt that music was “important to them” however (60%; n = 33) “lacked the knowledge and training.”
Conclusion: CNAs hold favorable attitudes towards the use of music, however more formal training is needed. The provision of music and its positive and calming effect not only those with AD or other forms of dementia, but also with CNAs working in a setting that can present challenges. CNAs can easily learn and implement music therapy as part of their routine during provision of oral care.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Dunn, Gina, "Knowledge, attitudes, and expectations among certified Nursing Assistants providing oral care to individuals with Alzheimer's Disease or another form of Dementia utilizing Music Therapy" (2022). EWU Masters Thesis Collection. 752.
https://dc.ewu.edu/theses/752
