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Key Points. Music therapy is used as a treatment for the improvement of cognitive function in people with dementia. The intervention based on listening to music presents the greatest effect on patients with dementia followed by singing. Music therapy improved the quality of life of people with dementia.
- Overview
- Can music help people with Alzheimer’s disease?
- What type of music is best?
- Disadvantages of music therapy
- How to use music for someone with Alzheimer’s
- Other ways to help someone with Alzheimer’s
- Summary
Musical memory remains largely preserved in people with Alzheimer’s disease, so music may be a positive therapy to help improve memory, social connection, and mood.
Playing music may encourage a person with Alzheimer’s disease to move, dance, clap, or respond physically to the rhythms they are hearing. Music may also trigger positive memories and emotional reactions.
Music therapy involves a trained music therapist working to support someone with Alzheimer’s disease through music. It may involve singing, playing an instrument, listening to music, or clapping and dancing to music.
This article explores how music may benefit people with Alzheimer’s disease. It will discuss its potential disadvantages and how individuals can use music to best support someone with this condition.
Connection
Music may positively affect social interactions for a person with Alzheimer’s disease and those around them. If verbal communication becomes difficult for someone with the condition, music can allow people to connect in another way. Caregivers or loved ones can share the experience of listening to and enjoying music together. In the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, people may still be able to sing a song from their childhood or respond to a beat. According to a 2023 systematic review, music may also provide a greater sense of connection and socialization for people with Alzheimer’s disease who feel isolated.
Memory
Memory issues are a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease and typically worsen as the condition progresses. However, a 2022 review suggests that musical memory may partially remain in people with Alzheimer’s disease. People with the condition may have an emotional reaction to music and be able to learn new songs. Music therapy may help affected individuals recall more information or events from their own lives and help improve cognition.
Improved mood
Research suggests that musical therapy may help improve mood and reduce depression and anxiety in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Music may also help reduce agitation and may help with behavioral issues that can occur in the middle stages of the condition.
The Alzheimer’s Association recommends choosing music that a person with Alzheimer’s disease responds positively to. This may be music that is familiar to them. If possible, a person can let them choose the music.
It is best to choose music that does not have commercials or interruptions, as this may cause confusion.
Research suggests the area of the brain that recalls musical memories may remain largely intact in people with Alzheimer’s disease despite other types of memory loss occurring.
However, some music may trigger unpleasant memories, so it is important to observe whether music evokes a positive or negative reaction and stop playing it if the person becomes upset.
Caregivers or loved ones may want to use music to support and connect with someone with Alzheimer’s disease.
People can create a playlist of songs to listen to together, letting the other person choose the music if they can.
Individuals can choose songs that will be meaningful to a person with Alzheimer’s disease and are likely to evoke positive memories, such as familiar or childhood songs.
Caregivers can observe the person’s response to the music, including nonverbal signs, to make sure they are enjoying it.
People can also encourage movement, such as tapping, dancing, or singing along to the music.
It may help to limit surrounding noise, such as by turning off other devices and shutting windows. People can also ensure the volume is at a comfortable level to avoid causing distress or overstimulation.
Other ways of supporting a person with Alzheimer’s disease may include:
•using other creative therapies, such as art therapy, which allow self-expression and a sense of achievement
•encouraging a person to stay active
•planning enjoyable activities to do together
•allowing a person to keep as much personal choice and control as possible
•creating a routine that feels consistent and familiar for them
Listening to music, dancing, clapping, or singing may benefit people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Finding familiar songs that evoke positive memories may be a positive experience as musical memory may remain for people with this condition. Music therapy may also help improve mood, cognition, and a sense of connection for those with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Beth Sissons
Oct 16, 2024 · These changes are important because they show how music affects movement, emotions and memory recall. Studies have also shown that during and after listening to music, people with dementia experienced less agitation, aggression and anxiety, and their general mood was improved. They even needed less medication when they had regular music sessions.
The four most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia (VD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and dementia with Lewy bodies.4 For dementia diagnosis, cognitive or behavioural impairments should affect at least two of the following domains: memory, executive functions, visual-spatial skills, language and personality disorders, or behaviour with symptoms such as ...
Combination of music with pharmacological methods: One study pointed out that applying non-pharmacological treatments like music intervention or therapy and pharmacological treatment could mitigate symptoms of anxiety and depression in people with mild dementia, while it is unclear that observing all the changes in individual situations was only due to the addition of music to their treatment ...
Mar 27, 2023 · Background The use of music interventions as a non-pharmacological therapy to improve cognitive and behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients has gained popularity in recent years, but the evidence for their effectiveness remains inconsistent. Objectives To summarize the evidence of the effect of music therapy (alone or in combination with pharmacological therapies) on ...
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Can music therapy improve cognitive and behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer's disease?
Can music help people with Alzheimer's?
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May 1, 2023 · The effects of music therapy on cognition, psychiatric symptoms, and activities of daily living in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29991131/ Matziorinis AM, et ...
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