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This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of music therapy (MT) combined with cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) compared to CST alone for community-dwelling people with moderate dementia using a decision analytic model over a three-month time horizon. The model found that MT+CST was more effective in improving cognitive function as measured by MMSE score, but not cost-effective over three months due to higher initial costs; however, MT+CST became cost-effective when cognitive benefits were assumed to persist over six months. The study suggests that MT combined with CST may offer cost-effective cognitive benefits for people living with dementia over a longer period.
Music therapy combined with cognitive stimulation therapy may be a cost-effective intervention for improving cognitive function in community-dwelling people with moderate dementia if the benefits persist for at least six months.
OBJECTIVES Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is widely used in UK dementia care to support cognitive and social functioning. Music therapy (MT) also shows cognitive benefits for people living with dementia (PLwD) but is not routinely available through the NHS due to limited cost-effectiveness evidence. This study evaluated the combined use of CST and MT compared to CST alone, providing a realistic assessment of the added value of MT within standard care. METHOD A decision analytic model was constructed using a cost utility framework with a healthcare perspective, over a three-month time horizon. It compared CST+MT with CST alone for community-dwelling people with moderate dementia. The clinical effectiveness outcome was cognitive improvement measured by MMSE score. Model parameters were informed by existing literature and clinical trial data where available. RESULTS Over a three-month period, MT+CST was more effective than CST alone in improving cognitive function but was not cost-effective due to higher initial costs, including setup and equipment. However, when cognitive benefits were assumed to persist over six months, CST+MT became cost-effective. CONCLUSION MT combined with CST may offer cost-effective cognitive benefits for PLwD over a six-month period. The model provides valuable evidence for decision-makers considering the broader adoption of MT.
