Music has been shown to alleviate anxiety and depression, to benefit patients in cancer and stroke recovery, and to enhance overall wellbeing by improving resilience in the face of challenges. But now researchers are making significant advances in using music to support patients with dementia.
Music therapy, whether through playing, singing, or simply listening, can positively influence cognitive function, especially in older adults with dementia or memory impairments. So what accounts for music’s remarkable effect on those with dementia?
Understanding Music and the Brain
Approximately ten years ago, studies revealed that listening to music activated multiple brain regions. This includes the limbic system (associated with emotions and memory), cognitive areas (related to perception and learning), and motor regions (responsible for movement).
This finding challenged earlier beliefs that music processing was limited to specific brain areas, and illuminated music’s unique neurological effects.
Moreover, research suggests that music may aid in regenerating brain cells and strengthening neural connections.
Since dementia often results from cell death in the brain, there is potential for music to support healing and fortification of damaged neural pathways.
However, not just any music yields these benefits; familiar and beloved songs have the most profound impact on our emotions and memories. Listening to favourite tracks triggers the release of feel-good hormones, enhancing our sense of pleasure.
This is particularly relevant for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, as studies indicate that areas of the brain associated with musical memories are often less affected by these diseases. Consequently, memories linked to favourite music tend to remain intact longer for those with dementia.
Listening to music can also alleviate feelings of distress, agitation, and “sundowning,” a phenomenon where confusion increases during the late afternoon and evening.
In a recent study conducted in collaboration with the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, researchers demonstrated the significant impact of music on individuals with dementia. Findings revealed that when patients repeatedly listened to their favourite music, their heart rates and movements changed in response.
These physical responses were influenced by musical elements such as rhythm and arrangement. Participants’ heart rates also changed when they sang along or reminisced about past memories associated with the music. These observations underscore how music affects movement, emotions, and memory recall.
Additional studies have shown that listening to music reduces agitation, aggression, and anxiety in dementia patients, while also enhancing their overall mood.
Researchers are now looking into music training programs designed to support cognitive function in people with dementia. Early results are promising, showing improved executive functioning, such as problem-solving, emotional regulation, and attention among participants engaged in music training compared to those who focused solely on physical exercise.
Given the evidence, music is poised to remain a valuable therapeutic tool for individuals with dementia. However, it’s crucial that the music comes from the patients’ personal collections and is used in conjunction with other treatment strategies, including medications that can help slow disease progression and manage symptoms, thus supporting overall self-care and wellbeing.
SOURCE: THE ART OF HEALING
