The Development of a Quantitative Music Skills Test for Patients with Alzheimers Disease

Journal/Book: J Music Therapy. 1994; 31: 505 11TH St Se, Washington, DC 20003. Natl Assn Music Ther Inc. 280-296.

Abstract: A quantitative music therapy test, the Residual Music Skills Test (RMST), was developed for measuring music behaviors of persons with probable Alzheimer's disease. The instrument was piloted with eight subjects at Vanderbilt University and the Miami VA Medical Center. It was subsequently field tested with 37 subjects in two day treatment programs in Atlanta, Georgia. Results indicated that RMST items which incorporated singing produced the highest item discrimination indices. Coefficient alpha reliability on the RMST was less satisfactory. Scores on the RMST were also correlated with scores from Folstein's Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE, 1975). Interrater reliability was high for both tests. Language subscores of the RMST and the MMSE were also highly correlated. Correlations between total scores of the RMST and the MMSE produced an r of .61, suggesting that the RMST may be measuring unique cognitive functions as compared to the MMSE. --------------------------------------- Presents the Residual Music Skills Test (RMST), a quantitative music behavior assessment for probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Test items were chosen to reflect active and receptive musical tasks encountered in music therapy sessions and to correspond to similar nonmusical items in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). After pilot testing 8 AD Ss (aged 58-83 yrs) and revising the instrument, 37 AD Ss (aged 58-98 yrs) without musical training were field tested with the RMST. Interrater reliability, internal consistency, and concurrent validity were assessed. Items incorporating singing had greatest discriminability. The RMST was nonstressful and simple to administer. A .61 correlation between total RMST and MMSE scores suggests that the tests have similarities, yet the RMST measures cognitive functions not addressed in the MMSE. Preliminary findings suggest that the RMST is suitable for AD patients. -------------------------------------- development & validity of Residual Music Skills Test; 58 98 yr olds with probable Alzheimer's disease

Note: Article E York, 5056 Post Rd Pass, Stone Mt, GA 30088 USA

Keyword(s): MINI-MENTAL-STATE; DEMENTIA; SCORES; Alzheimers disease; musical ability; test construction; test validity; measurement ; very old; adulthood ; aged