Music therapy improves cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
This article examines the impact of music therapy on cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Importantly, they noted that emotion plays a leading role in the brain’s ability to carry out cognitive tasks. The researchers examined global cognition, memory, language, speed of information processing, verbal fluency, and attention. They found that music therapy is very effective in retrieving verbal and musical memories in Alzheimer’s patients, and noted that compared with other arts therapies, music therapy had the advantage of improving language and verbal fluency.
The rhythmic and repetitive elements of music regulate brain function, and musical activities such as singing and playing instruments can activate neural networks involved in memory and language processing.
Improving these elements also significantly improves the wellbeing and stamina of care-givers, and increases the possibility of care to be provided at home instead of public systems.
Music therapy is a non-invasive, non-pharmacological and cost-effective way to improve the cognitive functions and general wellbeing of Alzheimer’s patients, compared to standard care. The improvement of these elements then also reduced caregiver stress.
Source:
Bleibel, M., El Cheikh, A., Sadier, N. S., & Abou-Abbas, L. (2023). The effect of music therapy on cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, 15(1), 65–65. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-023-01214-9
