Factors predicting adherence to artistic-singing groups for older adults and their role as moderators of the intervention outcomes

Objectives: Group singing (GS), as an art-based intervention, has demonstrated a wide range of biopsychosocial benefits in older adult participants. However, the factors that predict the adherence of older adults to these programs and that moderate the intervention outcomes were not yet studied, which is the aim of this study. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was developed to test the efficacy of a GS intervention, from which pre-post intervention data was collected and analyzed. Participants: 149 retired older adults (M = 76.66, SD = 8,79 years old) users of a social care institution. Results: Principal component analysis of responses to a pre-intervention assessment yielded 10 factors. General well-being (GWB), negative mood and loneliness, blood pressure, and the participants’ years of formal education predicted the number of sessions attended by the participants. GWB moderated the intervention’s outcomes on life satisfaction, social identification, and systemic inflammation. Conclusions: Years of education, well-being, negative mood and loneliness, and blood pressure at baseline predicted participants’ adherence to a singing group artistic intervention. Clinical Implications: For future artistic interventions with older adults, screening for participants’ characteristics such as formal education, health and well-being before the intervention is important as it allows predicting adherence and tailoring more adjusted and cost-effective interventions.