Does Music Therapy Help Dementia?
Introduction
Music therapy is a type of treatment that involves the use of music for healing. It helps those with Alzheimer’s, autism, Down syndrome and stroke. It can also be used to prevent depression and anxiety from worsening or developing or as a complementary therapy for those with Parkinson’s Disease. Music therapists encourage patients to move around as they experiment with instruments and create their own musical compositions. They can also offer advice on how to apply musical instruments practically in daily life. For example, by playing piano or singing together at home.
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s Disease is a form of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. This progressive disease gets worse over time and there is no cure. Alzheimer’s Disease is unique in that it is the only cause of death in the top 10 among those aged 65 and older in 2014. There are currently 5.2 million people in America who are living with Alzheimer’s, as well as many others that are indirectly affected by the disease.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is a broad category of brain diseases that cause impairments to memory, thinking and behavior. The symptoms worsen over time and if the condition progresses, patients often end up needing 24/7 care. Dementia is a significant problem for our aging population in the United States and the rest of the world. The numbers of people living with dementia are projected to triple by 2050 without significant progress. Dementia costs the U.S. $201 billion annually that directly accounts for costs of care and lost productivity.
How Music Therapy Benefits Those With Dementia?
Research shows that music therapy may have a positive effect on memory, mood, behavior and communication. It can also be used to improve communication between healthcare professionals and nonverbal patients or those who have impaired speech. The technique of music therapy is to incorporate music into a patient’s life through singing, playing an instrument, or even dancing to music. Music therapy is not just for patients with Alzheimer’s; it is used in hospitals, care facilities, and nursing homes for patients with other types of dementia as well.
Music Therapy And Its Effect On Patients
Music therapists use their acquired knowledge about music to help their patients. They listen to the patient’s stories and incorporate them into the sessions. It is important that the client has a good relationship with his or her therapist so that they will be open about their lives.
Music therapy has an immediate effect on patients because they are required to express themselves through music. This helps build trust and communication between the therapist and patient.
Music Therapy And Its Effect On Healthcare Professionals
Learning how music therapy helps patients can lead to improved care for those with dementia. It is imperative that healthcare professionals are aware of this so that they can provide the proper care for every patient. It is also important for researchers to find out about ways to improve the results obtained from music therapy in order to further advance strategies for helping those with dementia.
Music And Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease of the brain. It is typically caused by the buildup of proteins, called amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain’s neurons. They cause inflammation of the brain and eventually lead to cell death. While there are currently no cures for this disease, several medications and treatments can be used to slow down or reduce its symptoms.
Since music therapy is used in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities, it requires medical professionals that practice music therapy. This can put them at risk for being sued if they harm a patient while providing music therapy.
Effects Of Music Therapy In Alzheimer’s Disease
The effect of music therapy in Alzheimer’s disease has been studied. A review of nine trials (published between 1966 and 2007) with 488 participants found that music therapy has a positive effect on memory, mood, behavior and communication. It can also be used to improve communication between healthcare professionals and nonverbal patients or those who have impaired speech.
Music Therapy And Its Effect On Other Diseases
There are many other types of dementia that are treated with music therapy including:
Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Schizophrenia and Multiple Sclerosis. Music therapy also has positive effects on patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition where there is mild decline in memory or cognition.
Conclusion
Music therapy has been used for more than 30 years in nursing homes, health care facilities, hospitals and assisted living facilities. It is an effective tool and has positive effects on many types of dementia including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Some research suggests that some forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s Disease or Parkinson’s disease can be treated using music therapy. There are also other diseases that music therapy can be effective for including Schizophrenia, Multiple Sclerosis and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).