Exploring older adult needs and preferences for technology-assisted group music-making. A qualitative analysis of data collected during the participatory user-centred design process.

These findings suggest implications for rehabilitation in developing a range of musical devices for older adults to account for required flexibility, whilst maintaining an appropriate and satisfyingly "rich" musical outcome.Implications for rehabilitationOlder adults positively engage with music technology, showing distinct personal preferences for aspects of physical interaction, balance and quality of sound. Rehabilitation and/or wellbeing-based musical activities for older adults in residential care may benefit from considering tools that allow for personal adaptations such as these to be made.Preferences for musical interaction can be influenced by previous musical experiences, as well as physical and/or cognitive abilities. However, on any given day musical preferences can also be subject to change.Within a group music-making context, there is a significant capacity for older adults to feel agency in contributing to the overall sound; rehabilitation activities and/or technologies could be designed where this individual contribution to the group can be enhanced.Group music-making using new digital music interfaces has the potential to encourage interpersonal social connections that are most likely made over repeated sessions.