Healthtech Firm and UK University Secure Grant to Explore ‘Music as Medicine’ for South Asian Dementia Patients
British healthtech start-up MediMusic and researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) have been awarded a £183,682 grant from Innovate UK to investigate how AI-powered music therapy can alleviate anxiety in dementia patients of South Asian heritage.
This pioneering study represents the first time music therapy research has been tailored specifically for people of Indian and Pakistani backgrounds living in UK care homes. By leveraging MediMusic’s groundbreaking technology, the project aims to expand music therapy into new cultural territories, supporting not only dementia patients but also their professional carers.
MediMusic uses advanced algorithms to create personalised, therapeutic playlists. By extracting the “digital DNA” of music, the technology matches tracks to a patient’s age, gender, nationality, and ethnicity, delivering tailored 20-minute playlists designed to reduce anxiety and pain. These playlists can be played on MediMusic’s proprietary device, the MediBeat, or via smartphones and streaming platforms.
Clinical trials at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust previously demonstrated the effectiveness of MediMusic, with reductions in heart rates of up to 25% in dementia patients.
The research will begin with expanding MediMusic’s South Asian music library, including tracks from Indian and Pakistani artists, followed by interviews with care home residents and staff. A controlled pilot study will then assess the feasibility of implementing the MediMusic app in UK care homes.
Dr. Ming Hung Hsu, Senior Research Fellow at ARU and an expert in music therapy for dementia, expressed excitement about the project: “This study is incredibly exciting as research hasn’t been carried out amongst care home residents from the South Asian community before. We know music can have a joyful and calming effect for those living with dementia and those looking after them.”
MediMusic CEO and co-founder Gary Jones, who developed the technology after helping a family friend with dementia, highlighted its transformative potential:
“The power of music to make us feel more relaxed and healthier is extraordinary. This grant is a step closer to seeing music prescribed on the NHS to ease pain, anxiety, and stress. It could revolutionize patient care in hospitals and care homes.”
MediMusic has garnered significant acclaim, including partnerships with Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment for access to extensive music catalogs. The company also secured Start-up of the Year at the Wallifornia Music and Innovation Summit and was honored at the Hull Live Business Awards.
ARU’s Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, with a team of 30 specialists, will oversee the study. The institute is renowned globally for its contributions to dementia research.
This innovative collaboration aims to enhance the quality of life for South Asian dementia patients, marking a significant step forward in culturally inclusive healthcare. If successful, the research could pave the way for broader adoption of music therapy across diverse communities.
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