Music has a profound ability to touch our souls, evoke memories, and stir emotions. Its therapeutic benefits are well-documented, and one area where its impact is particularly remarkable is in the realm of dementia care. Dementia is a challenging condition that affects millions of people worldwide, causing cognitive decline and often robbing individuals of their ability to communicate and connect with the world around them.
Dementia is not a single disease but rather a group of conditions characterized by a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life. Regardless of the underlying cause, dementia can lead to memory loss, confusion, disorientation, mood changes, and difficulties with communication and motor skills. While there is currently no cure for dementia, various medications and therapies aim to manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. However, these treatments often have limited effectiveness and may come with side effects, and caring for individuals with dementia can be emotionally and physically taxing for family members and caregivers. However, emerging research suggests that music therapy can be a powerful tool in managing the symptoms of dementia and improving the quality of life for patients and their caregivers. Moreover, a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Jennie Dorris and colleagues (2021) on the music-making interventions for individuals with probable mild cognitive impairment or dementia shown the significant effect on their cognitive functioning. Another study Research by Salimpoor et al., 2011 published in Nature Neuroscienceshows that music can increase 9% of dopamine release in the reward system of the brain as a response to intense pleasure.
The impact of music extends beyond simply alleviating behavioural and psychological symptoms. Even in the progression of dementia, a person's individual music preferences remain intact. Maintaining musical and interpersonal connections can help value the individual's identity and enhance their overall quality of life (McDermott et al., 2014). Scientists have discovered that our brains develop stronger connections to the music we listened to between ages 12 and 22, which is called ‘formative’ years, compared to anything we encounter in adulthood. This connection remains robust as we grow older, implying that musical nostalgia isn't merely a cultural trend but rather a deeply ingrained neural response. Despite developing refined musical preferences over time, our brains may remain fixated on the songs that held significance during the tumultuous period of adolescence. Therefore, in recent years, researchers and healthcare professionals have turned their attention to alternative approaches to dementia care, including music therapy. Music therapy involves using music as a therapeutic tool to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. It can take many forms, including listening to music, singing, playing instruments, and songwriting.
How Music Therapy Helps People with Dementia:
Music plays a substantial role in the lives of people with dementia, providing a range of benefits:
Stimulating Memories:
One of the most remarkable aspects of music therapy is its ability to evoke memories and emotions in dementia patients, even in those who have difficulty recalling other details of their lives. Familiar songs from their past can transport individuals back in time, triggering memories and fostering a sense of connection with their personal history.Improving Mood and Reducing Agitation:
Music has a powerful effect on mood regulation, and studies have shown that listening to music can decrease agitation, anxiety, and depression in dementia patients. Whether it's a lively tune that inspires movement or a soothing melody that promotes relaxation, music has the capacity to uplift spirits and create moments of joy.Enhancing Cognitive Function:
While music cannot reverse the cognitive decline associated with dementia, it can temporarily improve cognitive function in some individuals. Engaging in musical activities such as singing or playing instruments stimulates various areas of the brain, including those responsible for memory, attention, and executive function.Facilitating Communication and Social Interaction:
Dementia can impair verbal communication skills, making it challenging for individuals to express themselves and connect with others. Music provides a nonverbal means of communication that transcends language barriers and allows for meaningful interaction. Group music therapy sessions also create opportunities for social engagement and peer support.Reducing Caregiver Stress and Burnout:
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be overwhelming, and caregivers often experience high levels of stress and burnout. Music therapy offers a respite from the challenges of caregiving, providing caregivers with a tool for connecting with their loved ones in meaningful ways and fostering moments of joy and connection amidst the difficulties.
Overall, music is accessible and can help maintain personal identity and life events (McDermot, 2014). Engaging with music can enhance psychological, social, and emotional well-being, promoting a sense of connection and identity (Dowlen, 2017). Music-related activities can also provide enjoyment, social cohesion, and empowerment (Sixsmith, 2006). Rhythmic entrainment induced by music may contribute to the efficacy of music-based interventions, positively affecting emotional, cognitive, and behavioural well-being (Ghilain, 2019). A critical review was conducted by Melanie Elliott and Paula J. Gardner in 2018 to examine the effectiveness of the music therapies on individuals living with dementia. They revealed three ways in which music influences the lives of community-dwelling older adults with dementia: reduced agitation, improved cognition, and enhanced social well-being.
In the face of a condition like dementia, music therapy offers a ray of hope and a source of comfort not only for patients but also for their families. Its ability to stimulate memories, improve mood, enhance cognitive function, facilitate communication, and reduce caregiver stress makes it a valuable addition to the array of treatments and interventions available for dementia care. As our understanding of the therapeutic potential of music continues to grow, so too does the promise of harnessing its healing power to improve the lives of those affected by dementia. Future music interventions can benefit from rigorous intervention protocols that isolate specific activities. Our therapy solutions can help you to create and monitor individual activities for a better and effective progress in the quality of lives you care.
References:Dorris, J. L., Neely, S., Terhorst, L., VonVille, H. M., & Rodakowski, J. (2021). Effects of music participation for mild cognitive impairment and dementia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 69(9), 2659-2667. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.17208
Dowlen, R., Keady, J., Milligan, C., Swarbrick, C., Ponsillo, N., Geddes, L., & Riley, B. (2018). The personal benefits of musicking for people living with dementia: A thematic synthesis of the qualitative literature. Arts & Health, 10(3), 197-212. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2017.1370718
Ghilain, M., Schiaratura, L., Singh, A., Lesaffre, M., & Samson, S. (2019). Is music special for people with dementia. Music and dementia: From cognition to therapy, 24-40. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190075934.003.0002
McDermott, O., Orrell, M., & Ridder, H. M. (2014). The importance of music for people with dementia: the perspectives of people with dementia, family carers, staff and music therapists. Aging & Mental Health, 18(6), 706-716. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2013.875124
Salimpoor, V. N., Benovoy, M., Larcher, K., Dagher, A., & Zatorre, R. J. (2011). Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music. Nature Neuroscience, 14(2), 257-262. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.2726
Sixsmith, A., & Gibson, G. (2007). Music and the wellbeing of people with dementia. Ageing & Society, 27(1), 127-145. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X06005228
