Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase as stress markers to evaluate an individualized music intervention for people with dementia: feasibility and pilot analyses

BMC Res Notes. 2024 Sep 12;17(1):258. doi: 10.1186/s13104-024-06904-7.

Abstract

Objectives: We investigated salivary biomarkers of stress, more specifically, cortisol and alpha-amylase, to evaluate effects of individualized music listening (IML) in people with dementia.

Method: Participants were N = 64 nursing home residents with dementia (meanage = 83.53 ± 7.71 years, 68.8% female). Participants were randomly assigned to either listening to their favorite music every other day for a period of six weeks (intervention), or standard care (control). Using the Saliva Children`s Swab (SCS), saliva was collected before, after, and 20 min after IML sessions at the beginning and end of the intervention period for the analysis of salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol.

Results: Using the SCS was feasible in people with dementia. Nevertheless, there was no effect of IML on salivary stress markers.

Discussion: Although using SCS was feasible, active patient engagement is required. Future studies need to corroborate findings in larger samples.

Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00015641, ISRCTN registry: ISRCTN59052178.

Keywords: ANS; Alpha-amylase; Cognitive impairment; Cortisol; HPA axis; Non-pharmacological intervention; Psychobiology of stress; Salimetric’s children’s Swab.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers* / metabolism
  • Dementia* / metabolism
  • Feasibility Studies*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone* / analysis
  • Hydrocortisone* / metabolism
  • Male
  • Music Therapy* / methods
  • Pilot Projects
  • Saliva* / chemistry
  • Saliva* / metabolism
  • Stress, Psychological* / metabolism
  • Stress, Psychological* / therapy
  • alpha-Amylases* / analysis
  • alpha-Amylases* / metabolism

Substances

  • Hydrocortisone
  • Biomarkers
  • alpha-Amylases