The MELODIC (Music Therapy Embedded in the Life of Dementia Inpatient Care) project is a novel approach tried on NHS dementia wards in the UK to reduce distress among patients with advanced dementia.
Developed through collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and people with lived experience, MELODIC embeds a registered music therapist within inpatient mental health teams for 15 hours per week.
MELODIC is currently regarded as a promising, low-risk, patient-centered approach to improve the experience of dementia patients, especially those facing severe distress, while minimizing reliance on medication.