{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T06:07:43Z","timestamp":1788934063789,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":67,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788912000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Aging Neurosci."],"abstract":"<jats:p>Literature has well documented the impact of music on the mood of older adults with dementia and underscored that the pleasantness of activities may increase the intervention\u2019s efficacy. Nevertheless, it is unclear which music activities may be more effective in triggering interest and pleasure in older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia. Recently, SOUND, a novel and original music-based non-pharmacological intervention, was conducted in Italy with 13 older people aged over 70\u202fyears with mild-to-moderate dementia who attended a day-care center. Participants\u2019 interest and pleasure were rated and ranked using the Apparent Affect Rating Scale. Field notes were analyzed to develop ideal types of older people with mild-to-moderate dementia who participated in the intervention. Results showed that listening\/attention\/coordination activities and percussion\/rhythmic activities were associated with greater observed interest and pleasure among older people with dementia, compared with elicitive\/narrative activities and singing activities. The pleasantness and interest elicited by activities might be influenced by the educational background and music training of facilitators, participants\u2019 cognitive profiles, and the social dynamics of the sessions. Five ideal types of older people with moderate dementia were identified as a potential tool to help dementia care professionals and musicians group participants and choose music activities to maximize the benefit of the intervention. Further research is needed to understand how music activities, from being pleasant and interesting, may become a source of stress and discomfort and how ideal types could inform the design of future interventions.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3389\/fnagi.2026.1873875","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T06:00:14Z","timestamp":1788933614000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Music activities that most elicit interest and pleasure among older people with mild-to-moderate dementia: a qualitative multiple-case study in Italy"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"18","author":[{"given":"Sara","family":"Santini","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging","place":["Ancona, Italy"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Alessandra","family":"Merizzi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging","place":["Ancona, Italy"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Cristina","family":"Vesprini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"AST Fermo, Medical Doctor Primary Health Care \u2013 Social and Health District","place":["Fermo, Italy"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gabriele","family":"Morettini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging","place":["Ancona, Italy"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sabrina","family":"Quattrini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging","place":["Ancona, Italy"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"339","DOI":"10.1007\/s10869-025-10060-5","article-title":"When leaders act as role models of proactive behavior","volume":"41","author":"Belschak","year":"2026","journal-title":"J. Bus. Psychol."},{"key":"ref9001","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"gnad052","DOI":"10.1093\/geront\/gnad052","article-title":"The delivery of person-centered care for people living with dementia in residential aged care: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"64","author":"Berkovic","year":"2024","journal-title":"Gerontologist."},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"670","DOI":"10.1037\/amp0000059","article-title":"Liking, wanting, and the incentive-sensitization theory of addiction","volume":"71","author":"Berridge","year":"2016","journal-title":"Am. Psychol."},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1186\/s13195-023-01214-9","article-title":"The effect of music therapy on cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer\u2019s disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials","volume":"15","author":"Bleibel","year":"2023","journal-title":"Alz Res Therapy"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1730949","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyt.2025.1730949","article-title":"Treatment differentiation between group music therapy and recreational choir singing for people with dementia and depression living in residential care homes: structured video analysis of the interventions in the MIDDEL trial","volume":"16","author":"Bloska","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front. Psych."},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"374","DOI":"10.1038\/s41398-023-02671-4","article-title":"Biological principles for music and mental health","volume":"13","author":"Bowling","year":"2023","journal-title":"Transl. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1039","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2018.01039","article-title":"Pupillometry of groove: evidence for noradrenergic arousal in the link between music and movement","volume":"12","author":"Bowling","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"105105","DOI":"10.1016\/j.yhbeh.2021.105105","article-title":"Endogenous oxytocin, cortisol, and testosterone in response to group singing","volume":"139","author":"Bowling","year":"2022","journal-title":"Horm. Behav."},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1435","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2019.01435","article-title":"A \u2018music, mind and movement\u2019 program for people with dementia: initial evidence of improved cognition","volume":"10","author":"Brancatisano","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref12","first-page":"41","volume-title":"Music and Dementia: From Cognition to Therapy","author":"Brancatisano","year":"2020"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"113","DOI":"10.1093\/jmt\/32.2.113","article-title":"Rhythm playing characteristics in persons with severe dementia including those with probable Alzheimer\u2019s type","volume":"32","author":"Clair","year":"1995","journal-title":"J. Music. Ther."},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2659","DOI":"10.1111\/jgs.17208","article-title":"Effects of music participation for mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"69","author":"Dorris","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Am. Geriatr. Soc."},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"939973","DOI":"10.3389\/fnagi.2022.939973","article-title":"Neural basis of impaired narrative discourse comprehension in prodromal and mild dementia with lewy bodies","volume":"14","author":"Falque","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Aging Neurosci."},{"key":"ref16","author":"Fancourt","year":"2019"},{"key":"ref17","first-page":"39","volume-title":"Empirical Methods for Bioethics: A Primer","author":"Forman","year":"2008"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"775","DOI":"10.3390\/nursrep12040076","article-title":"Effect of music therapy as a non-pharmacological measure applied to Alzheimer\u2019s disease patients: a systematic review","volume":"12","author":"Garc\u00eda-Navarro","year":"2022","journal-title":"Nurs. Rep."},{"key":"ref19","first-page":"24","volume-title":"Music and Dementia: From Cognition to Therapy","author":"Ghilain","year":"2020"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"597","DOI":"10.46743\/2160-3715\/2003.1870","article-title":"Understanding reliability and validity in qualitative research","volume":"8","author":"Golafshani","year":"2003","journal-title":"Qual. Rep."},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8067","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18158067","article-title":"Comparative efficacy of active group music intervention versus group music listening in Alzheimer's disease","volume":"18","author":"G\u00f3mez-Gallego","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"300","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nrl.2015.12.003","article-title":"Music therapy and Alzheimer's disease: cognitive, psychological, and behavioural effects","volume":"32","author":"G\u00f3mez-Gallego","year":"2017","journal-title":"Neurologia"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1103","DOI":"10.3390\/brainsci13071103","article-title":"Person-centred, culturally appropriate music intervention to improve psychological wellbeing of residents with advanced dementia living in Australian rural residential aged care homes","volume":"13","author":"Hamiduzzaman","year":"2023","journal-title":"Brain Sci."},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"96","DOI":"10.1111\/1467-8721.ep10770953","article-title":"Emotional contagion","volume":"2","author":"Hatfield","year":"1993","journal-title":"Curr. Dir. Psychol. Sci."},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1277","DOI":"10.1177\/1049732305276687","article-title":"Three approaches to qualitative content analysis","volume":"15","author":"Hsieh","year":"2005","journal-title":"Qual. Health Res."},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"650","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gerinurse.2021.03.012","article-title":"Effect of a group music intervention on cognitive function and mental health outcomes among nursing home residents: a randomized controlled pilot study","volume":"42","author":"Hyun-Sil","year":"2021","journal-title":"Geriatr. Nurs."},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1462","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare10081462","article-title":"The effect of music-based intervention on general cognitive and executive functions, and episodic memory in people with mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of recent randomized controlled trials","volume":"10","author":"Ito","year":"2022","journal-title":"Healthcare"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"230","DOI":"10.1186\/s12888-024-05697-0","article-title":"Study protocol: randomized controlled trial of an individualized music intervention for people with dementia in the home care setting","volume":"24","author":"Jakob","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm13072042","article-title":"Benefits of music therapy in the cognitive impairments of Alzheimer's-type dementia: a systematic review","volume":"13","author":"Jim\u00e9nez-Palomares","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Clin. Med."},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S25","DOI":"10.3233\/JAD-240496","article-title":"Assessing the linguistic capacity across Alzheimer's disease and its preclinical stages: evidence from narrative macrostructure in elderly speakers of Greek","volume":"100","author":"Kaltsa","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Alzheimer's Dis"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"117350","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuroimage.2020.117350","article-title":"A coordinate-based meta-analysis of music-evoked emotions","volume":"223","author":"Koelsch","year":"2020","journal-title":"NeuroImage"},{"key":"ref32","author":"Kohlbacher","year":"2006"},{"key":"ref33","volume-title":"Field Ethnography: A Manual for Doing Cultural Anthropology","author":"Kutsche","year":"1998"},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"62","DOI":"10.3390\/geriatrics5040062","article-title":"Effects of music therapy on patients with dementia: a systematic review","volume":"5","author":"Lam","year":"2020","journal-title":"Geriatrics"},{"key":"ref35","first-page":"69","article-title":"Observed affect and quality of life in dementia: further affirmations and problems","volume":"5","author":"Lawton","year":"1999","journal-title":"Aging Ment. Health"},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"132","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2019.00132","article-title":"Music intervention approaches for Alzheimer's disease: a review of the literature","volume":"13","author":"Leggieri","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"937486","DOI":"10.3389\/fnagi.2022.937486","article-title":"Global, regional, and national burden of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, 1990\u20132019","volume":"14","author":"Li","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Aging Neurosci."},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"490","DOI":"10.3758\/s13415-021-00884-y","article-title":"Toward a formal theory of proactivity","volume":"21","author":"Lieder","year":"2021","journal-title":"Cogn. Affect. Behav. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"115498","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psychres.2023.115498","article-title":"Effects of music therapy on cognition, quality of life, and neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"329","author":"Lin","year":"2023","journal-title":"Psychiatry Res."},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1016\/0147-1767(85)90062-8","volume-title":"Naturalistic Inquiry","author":"Lincoln","year":"1985"},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e928714","DOI":"10.12659\/MSM.928714","article-title":"Group music intervention using percussion instruments to reduce anxiety among elderly male veterans with Alzheimer disease","volume":"27","author":"Liu","year":"2021","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Monit."},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1733","DOI":"10.1080\/13607863.2024.2367038","article-title":"Emotion regulation in people living with dementia and their spouses: the role of neuropsychiatric symptoms","volume":"28","author":"Lou","year":"2024","journal-title":"Aging Ment. Health"},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"89","DOI":"10.1177\/0164027595171005","article-title":"Sampling in qualitative research: rationale, issues, and methods","volume":"17","author":"Luborsky","year":"1995","journal-title":"Res. Aging"},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1111\/nyas.14864","article-title":"The promise of music therapy for Alzheimer\u2019s disease: a review","volume":"1516","author":"Matziorinis","year":"2022","journal-title":"Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci."},{"key":"ref45","author":"Mayring","year":"2000"},{"key":"ref46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"229","DOI":"10.1080\/17533015.2022.2128381","article-title":"A qualitative systematic review of the experiences of sharing music for people living with dementia and their family care partners: the thread of connection","volume":"15","author":"McMahon","year":"2023","journal-title":"Arts Health."},{"key":"ref47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1735470","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1735470","article-title":"Cognitive enhancement through music therapy: meta-analytic evidence across clinical population","volume":"13","author":"Mulia","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front. Public Health"},{"key":"ref48","author":"Nasreddine","year":"2026"},{"key":"ref49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"695","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1532-5415.2005.53221.x","article-title":"The Montreal cognitive assessment, MoCA: a brief screening tool for mild cognitive impairment","volume":"53","author":"Nasreddine","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Am. Geriatr. Soc."},{"key":"ref50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"557","DOI":"10.1002\/nur.22081","article-title":"Tailored music listening intervention to reduce sleep disturbances in older adults with dementia: research protocol","volume":"43","author":"Petrovsky","year":"2020","journal-title":"Res. Nurs. Health"},{"key":"ref9003","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"668","DOI":"10.1186\/s12909-024-05651-4","article-title":"The design and implementation of a novel music-based curriculum for dementia care professionals: The experience of SOUND in Italy","volume":"24","author":"Quattrini","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11517","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-022-15687-5","article-title":"Longitudinal changes in auditory and reward systems following receptive music-based intervention in older adults","volume":"12","author":"Quinci","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"287","DOI":"10.3389\/fmed.2018.00287","article-title":"The use of music and music therapy in ameliorating depression symptoms and improving well-being in nursing home residents with dementia","volume":"5","author":"Ray","year":"2018","journal-title":"Front. Med."},{"key":"ref53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"314","DOI":"10.1093\/jmt\/thad015","article-title":"Music therapy increases social and emotional well-being in persons with dementia: a randomized clinical crossover trial comparing singing to verbal discussion","volume":"60","author":"Reschke-Hern\u00e1ndez","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Music. Ther."},{"key":"ref54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"247","DOI":"10.1016\/0165-0173(93)90013-P","article-title":"The neural basis of drug craving: an incentive-sensitization theory of addiction","volume":"18","author":"Robinson","year":"1993","journal-title":"Brain Res. Rev."},{"key":"ref55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.1002\/gps.5701","article-title":"Coping strategies for memory problems in everyday life of people with cognitive impairment and older adults: a systematic review","volume":"37","author":"Ross","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int. J. Geriatr. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"257","DOI":"10.1038\/nn.2726","article-title":"Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music","volume":"14","author":"Salimpoor","year":"2011","journal-title":"Nat. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"216","DOI":"10.1126\/science.1231059","article-title":"Interactions between the nucleus accumbens and auditory cortices predict music reward value","volume":"340","author":"Salimpoor","year":"2013","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"ref9002","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1327272","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2024.1327272","article-title":"A quasi-experimental mixed-method pilot study to check the efficacy of the \u201cSOUND\u201d active and passive music-based intervention on mental wellbeing and residual cognition of older people with dementia and dementia professionals\u2019 burnout: a research protocol","volume":"15","author":"Santini","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref9004","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"25424823251367291","DOI":"10.1177\/25424823251367291","article-title":"Effects of a person-centered music-based intervention in the rehabilitation of older adults with mild to moderate dementia","volume":"9","author":"Santini","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Alzheimers. Dis. Rep"},{"key":"ref58","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"63","DOI":"10.3233\/EFI-2004-22201","article-title":"Strategies for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research projects","volume":"22","author":"Shenton","year":"2004","journal-title":"Educ. Inf."},{"key":"ref59","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1017\/cjn.2026.10545","article-title":"Neuropsychiatric symptoms and caregiver burden in dementia: a longitudinal dyadic cohort study","volume":"29","author":"Skoda","year":"2026","journal-title":"Can. J. Neurol. Sci."},{"key":"ref60","volume-title":"Multiple Case Study Analysis","author":"Stake","year":"2005"},{"key":"ref61","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"838511","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2022.838511","article-title":"Sensorimotor synchronization in healthy aging and neurocognitive disorders","volume":"17","author":"von Schnehen","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref62","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1360935","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2024.1360935","article-title":"Effects of movement training based on rhythmic auditory stimulation in cognitive impairment: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trial","volume":"18","author":"Wang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref63","author":"Weber","year":"1949"},{"key":"ref64","first-page":"248","volume-title":"Improving Patient Care: The Implementation of Change in Clinical Practice","author":"Wensing","year":"2005"},{"key":"ref65","volume-title":"Case Study Research: Design and Methods","author":"Yin","year":"2009"},{"key":"ref66","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1864","DOI":"10.1080\/13607863.2023.2214091","article-title":"Does music intervention relieve depression or anxiety in people living with dementia? A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"27","author":"Zhang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Aging Ment. Health"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fnagi.2026.1873875\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T06:00:17Z","timestamp":1788933617000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fnagi.2026.1873875\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]]},"references-count":67,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fnagi.2026.1873875"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fnagi.2026.1873875","relation":{},"ISSN":["1663-4365"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1663-4365","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]]},"article-number":"1873875"}}