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Dementia is an umbrella term for several progressive diseases such as Alzheimer’s that affect memory, language, problem-solving, and the individual’s thinking ability, which interfere with their daily living activities. People living with dementia (PWD) usually face social and communication interaction problems, which negatively impacts on their lives and the people around them.
There are various kinds of therapy methods for managing dementia symptoms: pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Although evidence shows that pharmacological therapy can delay and somewhat control behavioral disorders in PWD, it cannot cure dementia [1]. Some popular non-pharmacological therapies are pet therapy [2], robot therapy [3], reminiscence therapy [4], aromatherapy [5], occupational therapy [6], massage and touch therapy [7], doll therapy [8], light therapy [9], and creative arts therapies (music, dance-movement, and drama)[10]. Music interventions are categorized as ’music medicine’ when individuals listen to pre-recorded music that is offered by medical personnel [11]. In contrast, music therapy is clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program [12]. Unlike drug therapy, applying music as a treatment approach usually does not have any side effects. For this reason, many physicians and caregivers promote and encourage music therapy, or music intervention as a beneficial and alternative treatment method for dementia [13]. Although using music as a treatment approach cannot cure dementia symptoms, it can reduce the symptoms [14]. Even with advanced dementia—when PWD have severe problems with judgment, planning, reasoning, speech, and language— their responses to music are undeniable, and its impact can last for hours or even days [15].
Several physiological and psychosomatic benefits of music have been mentioned in the literature.
To retain the music benefits, people with dementia need to receive regular music treatment, which is approximately two to three times a week [26]. Overall, studies from the last 10 years have shown improvement in cognitive, emotional, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of PWD through music treatment approaches, resulting in a better quality of life and wellbeing (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Benefits of music treatment for people living with dementia (PWD).