Music helps combat cognitive problems

How to help people with dementia feel better without medication? Experts from the Netherlands have found the answer to this question by analyzing data from 30 clinical trials. It turned out that music therapy can reduce manifestations of depression and positively affect the behavior of patients. These findings are published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Dementia is a collective term for neurodegenerative diseases that progressively impair memory, thinking and emotions. According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, 55 million people worldwide were living with the condition in 2019. By 2050, the number of people with the condition is projected to rise to 139 million.

While there are medications available to treat dementia, alternative approaches such as music therapy are proving to be just as effective in improving patients’ quality of life. Music remains available even in the late stages of the disease, and its use does not require sophisticated technology or high costs.

A group of researchers analyzed the effects of music on the emotional state, social behavior and cognitive function of people with dementia. The data was collected from 30 experiments conducted in Australia, the US, Taiwan and several European countries. Participants who were in nursing homes attended individual or group music sessions. In most cases, the therapy included not only passive listening but also active participation – playing musical instruments or singing together.

The paper’s lead author, Leiden University professor Jenny van der Steen, emphasizes that music should become part of everyday care for people with dementia. According to her, music therapy not only improves mood, but also helps to cope with behavioral disorders, making patients more calm and sociable.

The scientists’ findings show that regular music sessions markedly reduce symptoms of depression. In addition, improvements in behavior and social engagement were observed in some cases. However, the effects of music on anxiety, aggression and cognitive function remain controversial.

The long-term effects of music therapy have not yet been studied sufficiently, as most studies record the condition of patients only for four weeks after the end of the sessions. Experts urge further study of this method, especially in family care settings and not only in specialized institutions.

Music therapist Annemieke Wink from ArtEZ University of the Arts, who has been working with dementia patients for many years, believes that music is a simple and affordable alternative to medication. She notes that such activities not only improve emotional well-being, but also make care more individualized.

The scientific community is increasingly focusing on non-drug methods of supporting people with dementia. The authors of the paper hope that their research will help make music therapy an integral part of care for older people, improving their well-being without side effects.