Effects of Music Therapy on Alzheimer’s Disease

In observance of September as World Alzheimer’s Month, we will explore research that supports the use of music therapy with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. As music therapy is an evidence-based practice, music therapists utilize research to inform their practice. Music therapy has been shown to provide health benefits such as improved mood, relaxation, alert responses, language skills, and social interaction.

In The Effect of Reminiscence Music Therapy Sessions on Changes in Depressive Symptoms in Elderly Persons with Dementia, Ashida (2000) found that participants experienced a significant decrease in depression after five music therapy sessions. Participants included twenty older adults with dementia who were split into four small music therapy groups that focused on reminiscence. People with Alzheimer’s may also experience increased agitation. Brotons and Cooper (1996) found that participants with Alzheimer’s showed significantly decreased agitation during and after music therapy sessions. 

People with dementia/Alzheimer’s are not alone in experiencing stress and depression; caregivers experience it as well. In Wellman’s (2020) study, A Music Therapy Respite Program for Caregivers of Individuals With Memory Loss, she found that both caregivers and individuals with dementia experienced decreased anxiety and improved mood through group music therapy sessions.

As people enter the later stages of dementia/Alzheimer’s, they may no longer be able to interact with the external world as they used to. This may cause decreased participation in daily activities and decreased responses to external stimuli. In The Effect of Singing on Alert Responses in Persons with Late Stage Dementia, Clair (1996) found that participants showed significantly higher alert responses to singing than in silence. People who may otherwise appear to be unresponsive might be responsive to singing. 

As language and cognitive skills decline, it may become more difficult for individuals with dementia/Alzheimer’s to engage in social interactions. In The Effect of Music Participation on the Social Behavior of Alzheimer's Disease Patients, Pollack and Namazi (1992) discovered that individual music therapy sessions provided increased eye contact, smiling, and participation. Olderog Millard and Smith (1989) found that more individuals participated in a singing group than a discussion group. Music therapy provides opportunity for social connection and interaction, along with improved language skills. In The Impact of Music Therapy on Language Functioning in Dementia, Brotons and Kroger (2000) found their participants had improved speech content and fluency. 

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease affects people all over the world. Music therapy provides opportunities for improved health and quality of life for these individuals. Please visit Alzheimer’s Association or Azheimer’s Disease International for more information on how to support your community and your loved ones.

References:

Ashida, S. (2000). The effect of reminiscence music therapy sessions on changes in depressive symptoms in elderly persons with dementia. Journal of Music Therapy, 37(3), 170-182. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/33.1.2

Brotons, M., Pickett-Cooper, P.K., (1996). The effects of music therapy intervention on agitation behaviors of Alzheimer's disease patients. Journal of Music Therapy, 33(1), 2-18. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/37.3.170

Brotons, M., & Kroger, S.M. (2000). The impact of music therapy on language functioning in dementia. Journal of Music Therapy, 37(3), 183-195. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/37.3.183

Clair, A.A. (1996). The effect of singing on alert responses in persons with late stage dementia. Journal of Music Therapy, 33(4), 234-247. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/33.4.234

Olderog Millar, K.A., & Smith, J.M. (1989). The influence of group singing therapy on the behaior of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Journal of Music Therapy, 26(2), 58-70. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/26.2.58

Pollack, N.J., & Namazi, K.H. (1992). The effect of music participation on the social behavior of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Journal of Music Therapy, 29(1), 54-67. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/29.1.54

Wellman, B. (2021). A music therapy respite program for caregivers of individuals with memory loss. Journal of Music Therapy, 39(2), 17-23. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miaa022