Using Boomwhackers in geriatrics

Music-based intervention is an integral part of geriatric psychiatry but the use of Boomwhackers, colorful plastic percussion tubes, with older people has not yet been investigated. For this purpose, a total of 47 patients (33 female, 14 male) from a geriatric day clinic, aged 61–91 years (M = 79.4 years, SD = 6.06 years), took part in a pilot study. Group 1 consisted of cognitively unimpaired patients with mental health problems, group 2 included cognitively impaired patients. Each of them received a 30–40-min group music intervention with the Boomwhackers twice a week. A standardized behavioral observation was carried out before and after the group session, where well-being as well as psychological symptoms (anxiety, depression, pain) were assessed. All participants were actively playing music and well-being improved and complaints significantly decreased. Considering the demonstrated results, the use of Boomwhackers among older adults should be further researched.