Review Finds Music Therapy Beneficial for Dementia Patients
A new review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews suggests that music-based therapy may help people with dementia, particularly by reducing symptoms of depression.
Dementia and Its Growing Global Impact
Dementia is a progressive degenerative condition that affects memory, thinking, behavior, and emotions. According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, 55 million people worldwide were living with dementia in 2019, a number expected to rise to 139 million by 2050.
While medications exist, music therapy provides a simple, cost-effective, and accessible approach that can be beneficial even in the later stages of the disease.
Research Highlights Positive Effects of Music Therapy
Researchers from multiple Dutch institutions analyzed data from 30 studies involving 1,720 participants. The studies examined how music therapy influenced emotional well-being, including mood disturbances, behavioral issues, social behavior, and cognition. Most participants were in care homes, where therapy sessions were conducted individually or in groups.
The studies were primarily conducted in high-income countries, such as Australia, Taiwan, the United States, and several European nations. The majority of therapies involved both active participation, such as playing instruments, and receptive engagement, like listening to live music performed by a therapist.
Music Therapy Strengthens Dementia Care in Care Homes
Lead author Jenny van der Steen from Leiden University Medical Center and Radboudumc Alzheimer Center emphasized the significance of these findings.
“This review enhances our understanding of music therapy’s effects and supports its integration into dementia care, particularly in care home settings,” van der Steen stated. “Music therapy offers unique benefits beyond other group activities, positively impacting mood and behavior in an engaging and accessible way. Care home managers should consider incorporating structured musical sessions as part of person-centered dementia care.”
Effects on Depression and Behavioral Symptoms
Findings indicate that music therapy likely reduces depressive symptoms and may improve overall behavioral issues by the end of treatment. However, its impact on agitation, aggression, emotional well-being, and cognition appears minimal. When compared to other interventions, some evidence suggests that music therapy improves social behavior and may reduce anxiety.
Need for Further Research on Long-Term Benefits
The long-term effects of music therapy remain uncertain due to the limited number of studies tracking outcomes beyond four weeks after treatment. The review highlights the growing recognition of non-pharmacological treatments in dementia care.
“Music therapy is a drug-free method to help people feel less sad and anxious,” said co-author Annemieke Vink from ArtEZ University of the Arts, who has hands-on experience providing music therapy for dementia patients. “We hope that the increasing quality of recent studies and the expanding evidence base will lead to greater recognition of music therapy and other non-drug approaches.”
She added, “Looking at the effect sizes, music therapy is a viable alternative to pharmaceutical treatments and is significantly more person-centered.”
Expanding Research to Community Settings
The review calls for further studies on the long-term impact of music therapy, particularly in community settings. Since most existing research comes from care homes, expanding studies to home-based environments could offer valuable insights into how music therapy can be seamlessly integrated into daily life for individuals living with dementia.