Music Therapy Shows Promise in Reducing Depression for Dementia Patients

The New Review has Found Evidence That Music-Based Therapy May Benefit People Living with Dementia, Particularly by Improving Symptles of Depression. The Work has ben published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Dementia is a Collective Term for Progressive Degenerative Brain Syndromes That Affect Memory, Thinking, Behavior and Emotion. Alzheimer’s Disease International Reported That Were 55 Million People With Dementia Worldwide in 2019, A Figure Predicted to Increase to 139 Million by 2050.

While Some Medicines are available, the therapeutic use of music is considerated a relatively simple and inexpensive approach that remains accessible even in the later stages of dementia.

The Research Team from Several Institutions in the Netherlands Examined Evidence from 30 Studies Involving 1.720 People. The Studies Investigated the Effects of Music-Based Therapeutic Interventions on Emotional Well-Being, Including Quality of Life, Mood Disturbance, Behavioral Problems, Social Behavior, and Cognition. Most Participants Were in Care Homes, With Interventions Delivered Either Individually or in Group Settings.

The Trials Were Primary Drive in High-Income Countries, Including Australia, Taiwan, the US, and Various European Countries. Almost All the Therapies Included Active Elements (Such As Playing Instruments), Often Combined with receptive Elements

“This Review Increases Our Understanding of the Effects of Music Therapy and Strengthens The Case for Incorporating Music Care, Particularly in Care Home Settings,” Says Lead Author Jenny Van Der Steen From Leiden University Medical Center and Radbudumc Alzheimer Alzheimer Center.

“Music Therapy Offers Benendes Beyond Those of other Group Activities, Helping to Support Mood and Behavior in a Way That Is Country and Accessible, Even in Later Stages of Dementia. Care Home Managers Should Integrating Structure Sessions As parts of the Person-Cenon-Centers Dementia Care. “

The Findings Suggest that music-based therapy probably improves depressive symptoms and may improve overall behavioral problems by the End of Treatment.

Music Therapy is unlikely to significant impact agitation, aggression, emotional well-being, or cognition but, when compred to other interventions, There is some evidence that it may improve social behavior and could decrease anxiety.

Long-Term Effects, Beyond Four Weeks After Treatment, May Be Smaller But Remain Uncertain Due to the Limited Number of Trials Monitoring Effects After Treatment Ends.

The review also Highlights the Growing Recognition of Non-Pharmacological Interventions In Dementia Care.

“Music Therapy is a Drug-Free Way of Helping People Feel Less Sad and Less Anxious,” Says Co-Author Annemieke Vink from Artez University of the Arts, Who has First-Hand Experience Delivering Music Therapy to People with Dementia.

“We Hope That the Higher Quality of recent Studies and Increating Evidence-Base Will Result in More Attention Being Given to Music Therapy and other non-formacological approaches.”

She Continues, “Looking at the Effect Sizes, Music Therapy is a Reasonable Alternative to Pharmacological Approaches and is Much More Person-Centered.”

The Review Underscores The Need For Further Research Into the Long-Term Effects of Music-Based Therapy, Particularly in Community Settings. MUCH OF THE EXISTING EVIDENCE COMES FROM CARE HOMES, SO EXPANDING STUDIES TO COMMUNITY-BASED BURNMENTS COULD PROVIDE VALUABLE INTIGHTS INTO TUTPY THERAPY CAN BE INTEGRATED INTE EVERYDAY LIFE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTION.

PROVIDED by Cochrane