The Effects of Music on Memory Essay

Music, one of the many factors that enhance our lives, has been a widely ranged field. From Classical music to Hip Hop, there are listeners of all ages, each having their own preference of music. Through research, it has been discovered that memory can be affected by many different factors, including music. Music has been found to stimulate parts of the brain, alleviating stress and depression. Additional research also shows that music, especially Classical, enhances the storage and recall of memory. Therefore we decided to test the effect of music on memory to evaluate the changes and differences.

Today, the treatment of dementia is based on psychotropic medications, which come with many side effects and adverse reactions. Medication can be beneficial in many cases, but too often with dementia patients it is used to treat a symptom. In this type of situation it is important to balance the old symptoms with the new symptoms and risks of the medication being used, and decide for whose benefit the medication is being administered. There is a wide-range of non-pharmacologic interventions that have been considered for treatment of dementia. The most effective intervention has been environment modification, which has shown to enhance functional abilities of the patient (Sung, Lee, Chang & Smith, 2011). In long-term facilities this includes incorporating familiar items from home to familiarize a new environment, in order to reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation. One of the most frequently researched interventions is the use of music as an environmental modifier, and it has shown management of behavioral problems (Sung, Lee, Chang & Smith, 2011). It is a very significant finding, considering the fact that music has no known side effects (Wall and Duffy, 2010).

The results showed that the music sessions were effective, and the levels were noticeably lower; however, the response did not last long (Wollen, 223). The response was shortened and did not last through the next week after the session (Wollen, 224). This means that music therapy for patients with Alzheimer’s disease is a temporary fix. Music therapy for people with Alzheimer’s can help improve their daily lives, but without the frequent sessions nothing about their condition will change.

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

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.

The last technique of MT for dementia is combining music with activities. There are many more additional studies using MT which includes not only just melody but also with other activities like dancing, rhythmic movements, singing, playing instruments and more. Gómez-Gallego M and his colleagues asked forty-two minor to moderate AD to not only listen to the music they enjoy but also to dance, greet, play instruments and go on. The outcome of six-week intervention indicated that music with other activities could improve the cognitive status and alleviates neuropsychiatric symptoms of AD patients

For dementia patients, music from a person’s childhood or young adult years has proven to be effective in obtaining a positive response and involvement (and this happens even when the patient can no longer communicate). Music has been shown to help seniors process their thoughts and recall/maintain

Dementia is an extremely common disease among the elderly, with 4 million Americans currently suffering from the Alzheimer’s type alone. Figures show that 3% of people between the ages of 65-74 suffer from the disease, rapidly increasing to 19% for the 75-84 age bracket, and as high as 47% for the over 85s. Therefore, it is easy to see why Dementia is such a large part of many people’s lives, whether they are suffering from the condition themselves, or have an elderly relative who requires full time care just to undertake simple day to day tasks. The disease can be extremely traumatic for the patient and their families, as the person, who may have been extremely lively and bright throughout their

As shown in Henry’s case, music therapy has significant benefits for dementia patients, with regard to both physiological and intellectual perspectives. Following his case, the author goes on to discuss music therapy from general viewpoint. According to the American Music Therapy Association, “Music therapy is the planned and creative use of music to attain and maintain health and well being” (Mattews, 2015). This definition is open ended, which illustrates that music therapy is not only restricted for treating dementia, but also designed for variety range of population, including autism, anxiety disorder, and mental disorder patients. Furthermore, Matthews says that music has four aspects which contributed to music therapy: “communal nature of its delivery, the rhythmic quality of composition, the entrancing effect of music’s mood, and the physiological arousal accompanying listening” (Matthews, 2015). Especially, people with dementia more likely to recall the rhythm, melody of music that they used to listen when younger. Thereupon, the power of music plays meaningful role to health care setting.

This is the playlist I created that I would listen to at ninety years old. After listening to the playlist it changed my mood,took me back through a lot of great times and even made me want to get up and dance. Music is a good source to link memorie and even help someone get through stressful times. Music can also help a person express their personality. This treatment modality is effective for people with dementia because it can be way to recover lost memories from childhood. If the person may have had a bad morning it can change their day. Certain songs may help connect signficiant events in their life. For some people if they enjoyed dancing dancing in the younger days would make them think about their dance moves. Dementia is defined as

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

Although I found merit in how music therapy decreases behavioral symptoms of AD and dementia, I was even more concerned how it effects on memory. I kept thinking about the different stories of the residents in the documentary Alive Inside. My previous research explained the response that Henry had in the documentary Alive Inside. In fact, his response surfaced in social media where he seemingly awakens from a cationic state after listening to jazz and his favorite music. After his therapy, he starts to sing, smile, and laugh; however, I was even more perplexed by the opening scene of the documentary where they interview a resident who cannot remember her life before she was a young woman. After listening to the song “When the Saints go marching

In spite of the relentless, ongoing efforts of medical scientists, a vast quantity of knowledge regarding the causes and treatments of dementia is still to be discovered. Psychologists have turned to experimenting with numerous forms of therapy. The effects that music therapy has demonstrated on dementia sufferers thus far seem promising; however can beginning musical training earlier in your life have beneficial effects in later life as a dementia sufferer? By examining current research I aim to compile evidence that shows the beneficial effects of prior musical training on individuals with dementia, both before

The article “The effects of music on achievement, attitude and retention in primary school English lessons” by Koksal, Yagisan, and Cekic show the impact music has in the classroom. The Article claims “best learning environment is one that includes music” (Köksal, et al. 1897). Meaning music activates different parts of the brain that coincide with memory. Through an experimental study mentioned in the article shows music has a “increased achievement in English vocabulary learning” (Köksal, et al. 1899). Memory channels are activated and students are able to retain what is being taught through the use of music. Therefore the article suggests music is a method that can be used in primary schools to exercise the mind helping students hold onto what they learn for longer periods of time. The authors argue music brings out a different level of intelligence in the classroom. However the article fails to briefly describe traditional methods, other possible methods, and possible defaults of a music learning environment jeopardizing a overall well conducted study of music used as a source of education.

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).