Music Attuned Technology to predict and treat agitation in people with moderate to severe dementia

This pilot tests the effectiveness of a scalable music technology within a dementia care ward, to address workforce shortages particularly for regional, remote, and rural areas. The MATCH (Music Attuned Technology Care via eHealth) platform combines caregiver training, with an adaptive integrated system which utilises wearable sensors, and an AI-biometrically driven system to deliver personalised, effective music therapy interventions on demand. MATCH aims to reduce behavioural symptoms of dementia, risk of injury, and medication use, while also reducing burnout and stress, risk of staff injury, staff turnover, and healthcare costs within the residential aged care sector. Participants (staff) will deliver the MATCH program to people living with dementia over 8 weeks following a baseline period of 4 weeks. MATCH users will benefit from the adaptive system when it detects the emergence of behavioural symptoms early and activating personalised music interventions to avoid symptom escalation. The success of MATCH will be assessed by comparing differences with usual care on dementia symptoms captured at baseline, use of unscheduled medication, care costs, and workforce pressures.