Music Therapy Dementia

Dementia is the loss of cognition function. This condition is rapidly becoming a huge challenge as well a leading cause of mortality and morbidity of the 21st century, especially in the western world, and the current prediction rates of dementia indicate that it will worsen. The numbers of the individuals affected by the condition is anticipated to rise due to the ever expanding older population. Despite the menace of this condition, the power of music, particularly in singing to jerk or unlock past memories and kick start the grey matter of the brain is an incredible feature of dementia care. Using music seems to reach parts of the damaged patient’s brain in unique ways that other means cannot (Geretsegger et al. (2014). In senior adults with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other mental disorders, music therapy has shown capability of reducing agitated or aggressive behavior, improve cooperation with day-to-day activities such as bathing, improved mood, and reduce symptoms of dementia. Besides, music therapy can reduce the

Music therapist and author Alicia Ann Clair identifies four main benefits for those with late stage dementia: changes in facial expression and tension, increased eye contact, vocal activity, and physical movement (Clair, pp. 81-82). Although music cannot make one with dementia cured, it can make a patient feel more comfortable, less agitated, and even remember or recognize familiar faces such as friends or family. Agitation and confusion among those with dementia is one of the main areas of concern for health care practitioners and care givers. Studies have shown, even when a person cannot remember their spouse of fifty or more years or their own children, patients can remember song lyrics, or a memory linked to the song and for a moment, the patient is able to identify someone they were once close to or acquainted with . With Parkinson’s disease, it is known that even when a patient is not able to speak correctly, or has hand tremors, a patient can play a musical instrument or sing with no problem. For the limited amount of positive results possible, music therapy is affordable with little to no side effects, is noninvasive, and has shown more effectiveness compared to other type of therapies. Even though Dementia in general has the same outcome, each cause behind the disease can be treated

In the article “Dementia and the Power of Music Therapy” by Steve Matthews, argues that music therapy has positive effects on dementia, in terms of non-pharmacological treatment, inexpensive in health budgets, and neurocognitive benefits for patients. Matthews starts off the article by describing current tendency of dementia in western nation. He mentions that dementia is one of fast increasing disease in United States, Canada, UK, Europe, and Australia. Additionally, Australian government’s investment for dementia raised up to third highest in national health budgets, in the wake of cardiovascular disease and cancer (Matthews 2015). Following that, there is need for music therapy as an alternative approach in order to treat dementia.

Imagine having a stressful day at work and going out to the vehicle and not having any sound. Try to envision what life would be like not knowing what music was or how it sounded. Music has its way of connecting with people mentally, physically, and emotionally. Some people may question why music is so memorable, powerful, and emotional. Many people have songs that remind them of things such as relationships, break-ups, or sadly a death, and many more things. Music has been around for many centuries, but what people may not know is that music can help with one’s health (Music on the Brain). Something that many people may not know is that music connects with people who have dementia and Alzheimer’s disease as well. Music therapy leads to a positive effect on patients because it sparks one’s memory, makes one’s mood change, and it helps a person’s quality of life.

There are many different ways that we benefit from music. Music can inspire better self-esteem, and confidence. It’s a great way to set the mood, and a wonderful tool. Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program (Gram, 2005). Music therapy can reach out to anyone, age, race, gender it doesn’t matter. Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs can benefit from music therapy. As well as, those who have developmental and learning disabilities, those who suffer from Alzheimer's

Evidence based practice shows that music has had many positive effects on those with dementia when used as a form of treatment. In fact, some of the benefits that have resulted from music therapy are currently unachievable by other interventions. Music therapy is defined as “controlled use of music and its influence on the human being to aid in physiological, psychological and emotional integration of individual during treatment of an illness or disability” (Sung, Lee, Chang & Smith, 2011). Patients with advanced dementia display a variety of unfavorable behaviors that are unpleasant and difficult to

Among them are creative therapies such as music therapy that has been found to improve cognition, memory, self-consciousness, and dementia. A study conducted by Rylatt (2012), examined the benefits of creative therapy for people with dementia. Participants were invited to take part in dance, drama, music and movement activities. Participants displayed enhanced communications, showed pleasure and enjoyment, improved engagement during activities, showing a positive response to creative therapy in individuals with dementia. Creative therapy was found to have useful result on the wellbeing of individuals with dementia. Music therapy is specific form of Creative therapy that encompasses many different techniques and administered by qualified music therapists who mediates treatment according to different patients based on the psychological and rehabilitative approaches. Music therapy is a non-pharmacological intervention that can reduce cognitive decline, improve neuropsychiatric symptoms, and enhance the quality of life of people living with Alzheimer’s disease (Fang, Ye, Huangfu, & Climag, 2017). It has been particularly beneficial for patients with dementia with improving disruptive behaviors, reducing anxiety and depression, improving cognitive functioning, increasing confidence, and positively change mood and emotional

Music activities can affect older adults’ perceptions of their quality of life (Mercadal-Brotons et al.). But, even before going to a form of therapy dementia can be treated in different ways. “I do not believe in going to straight to medicine if you find out what that person is truly trying to tell you and that takes a lot of work because a person with dementia who is acting out or having “behaviors” there is a reason. It’s out of character to strike out so you need to look at symptoms: are they in pain? are they hungry? are they tired? are they frustrated? Because they can’t tie their shoes anymore or they're overwhelmed because there is too much food on their plate and they aren't capable of picking up that food. So you have to really do detective work with that resident you have to figure out why and adjust whatever it is they need. So you adjust the environment instead of using medication. We go along with their reality they've created, we don't lie. We adjust to their environment instead of fighting with them.” says Mitchell. This confirms the fact that yes, medication can temporarily help a person dealing with dementia but that the best way to help them is to just live with them in their own reality. Dementia is a symptom from Alzheimer’s or a stroke. So, this person has already struggled enough and it is best to just be with them and not to fight them to bring them to a current

I visited a patient with a dementia this week that normally responds well to music. Therefore, I utilized music therapy to engage the patient. My field instructor told me the genera of music that he enjoyed, so deciding on that was easy. I played several well known Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder songs. The intervention was successfully for about 15 minutes, in which he was tapping his foot and singing along. After 15 minutes, the patient began to lose focus and fell asleep. I would still say that the intervention was a success; it may have helped him fall asleep or have a pleasant dream.

Throughout my research, I have analyzed music therapy and the effects this can have with individuals who have depression, anxiety, autism, dementia, Alzheimer’s and many other mental illnesses that are rampant in our society. Music therapy is used to soothe an individual and create a relaxing environment.

Research is shedding light on a number of treatments and therapies. One of the most promising is music therapy.

As the great Billy Joel once said, “I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music (as qtd. in Bordowitz 53).” It has become so easy to access music, that in today’s world almost everyone listens to it, but we never stop to think about how therapeutic it can be. Music provides people with entertainment, lets them express themselves freely, and can alter their mood. Alzheimer’s disease progressively destroys a patient’s memory and thinking skills. It prevents them being able to perform tasks that a normal person would call easy. The use of musical therapy and its effects and works on Alzheimer's patients may be

In this research paper, the effectiveness of music therapy on the cognitive degenerative disorder of dementia will be evaluated. To support the contention that music therapy is effective in treating the symptoms of dementia, research documenting this therapy’s impact on memory, emotions, and behavior will be examined. In order to provide a greater understanding of music therapy and dementia, these terms will be defined. Second, research will be examined to determine music therapy’s impact on the psychological and behavioral issues associated with dementia. Finally, a summary of music therapy’s benefits and an evaluation of its effectiveness in treating individuals afflicted with dementia will be discussed.

Music therapy, a clinical use of music interventions to accomplish therapeutic goals, involves a broad range of activities including playing an instrument, singing, or listening to music. Similar to occupational and physical therapy, this expressive arts therapy remedies psychological conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or hypertension to maintain the well-being of an individual. Likewise, music has been a therapeutic tool that has shown positive effects to parts of the brain including regions involved in emotion, sensation, movement, and cognition. Although music therapy is a somewhat new-found treatment, it is used prominently today. Administered by a trained therapist, this type of therapy is used in correctional facilities, nursing homes, hospices, and special education schools.

Aside from emotions, music can also have an impact on mental illnesses like ADHD, depression, and dementia. To combat depression, Cadena states that “music therapy alleviates pain and promotes calmness by slowing the heart rate and other bodily functions” (2). It provides the patient with a means of escape from the stressful and painful ordeals of life, and can even encourage them to recover from depression. To help children with ADHD, music therapy and medications can be used conjointly. Music, Cadena affirms, “can provide a calming, sedative affect and assist a child with focusing on the task at hand” (2). In regards to dementia, a study was done to investigate the effects that music would have on people with the disease. The findings demonstrated that “mean agitation levels were significantly lower while listening to music than before listening to the music” (3).