Harmony in Dementia Care: The Benefits of Music's Transformative Power

@alexander_ant

By incorporating music into the lives of 89 patients with mild to moderate dementia along with their caregivers, a study builds on previous research.

By incorporating music into the lives of 89 patients with mild to moderate dementia along with their caregivers, a study builds on previous research. The study divided the participants into three groups, a singing coaching group, a music listening coaching group, and a usual care control group, for a 10-week program that focused on singing and listening to music to observe the impact on cognitive abilities, mood, and overall well-being. The singing group sang familiar songs and performed rhythmic movements and vocal exercises, while the music listening group had reminiscence discussions.

Both singing and listening to music produced positive effects on mood,  orientation, episodic memory, attention, executive function and general cognition. Singing had the greatest impact on short-term and working memory and also elicited improved caregiver well-being. By actively singing or playing music for patients with early dementia, caregivers are empowered with another resource to enhance enjoyment and cognitive abilities.

Playing music is a cost-effective and easily accessible type of intervention to enhance well-being and may help ease the activities of caregiving. However, caregivers who also sing to their patients might reap the greatest benefits. For those giving of themselves to help others in need, why not try it for yourself today?

Resource:
Särkämö, T. Tervaniemi, M., Laitinen, S., Numminen, A., Kurki, M., Johnson, J. K., Rantanen, P. (2014). Cognitive, Emotional, and Social Benefits of Regular Musical Activities in Early Dementia: Randomized Controlled Study, The Gerontologist, 54(4), 634–650. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnt100