A ‘Music, Mind and Movement’ Program for People With Dementia: Initial Evidence of Improved Cognition

Abstract

Background Music is being increasingly used as a therapeutic tool for people with dementia. Research has uncovered several qualities of music that are responsible for its beneficial effects. Based on the identification of seven therapeutic capacities of music, we devised the Music, Mind, and Movement (MMM) program and evaluated whether it had therapeutic benefit for people with dementia (various types) in the areas of cognition, mood, identity, and motor fluency. Methods The MMM program involved seven 45-min weekly group sessions, and individual 15-min “booster” sessions. Twenty people with mild to moderate dementia participated. Group 1 ( n = 10) completed the MMM program first and Group 2 ( n = 10) acted as a wait list control for 7 weeks, receiving standard care and completing the MMM program after the first group. Assessments of global cognition (Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination, ACE-III), mood (Geriatric Depression Scale short form), identity (‘I am’ task), and fine motor skills (9-Hole peg task) were conducted at baseline (T1), time 2 (T2, post treatment), and time 3 (T3, 1 month post MMM program). Results Within group comparisons were conducted with 12 participants from the MMM program and 10 participants receiving standard care. Global cognition (total ACE-III score) improved in 8/12 participants after the MMM program, whilst it decreased in 8/10 participants after the period of standard care. MMM participants showed increases in ACE-III subdomain scores of attention ( p = 0.007) and verbal fluency ( p = 0.056). Conclusion Our preliminary findings suggest that the MMM program may improve cognition, particularly verbal fluency and attention, in people with dementia.

Effects of Music-Based Physical Training on Selected Motor and Cognitive Abilities in seniors with Dementia-Results of an Intervention Pilot Study

“…Significant improvement was observed in them after the dance program. This is consistent with the findings of Brancatisano, Baired & Thompson (2019), who tested a "music, mind, and movement" intervention in ten subjects with mild to moderate dementia [10]. They showed significant improvements in verbal fluency in their intervention group.…”

“…Gómez Gallego and Gómez Garcia showed significant improvements in memory, orientation, depression and anxiety in patients with mild and moderate dementia compared to inactive counterparts, when listening to music [13]. A meaningful function of music is highlighted by Brancatisano, et al [10]. Music engages individuals in new learning in respect to exercise and cognitive training, because it evokes emotional and motor responses [14,15].…”

“…In music therapy, seven capacities of music have been proposed to be valuable: music is persuasive, engaging, emotional, personal, physical, social and affords synchronization [9]. It can address many symptoms of dementia, such as memory decline, decreased language fluency and altered sense of self [10]. Mostly musical functions, such as the emotional meaning of music, the detection of familiar songs and emotional responses to music such as joy are preserved in demented people, also in severe stages [11,12].…”

Einfluss eines multidimensionalen musikbasierten Übungsprogramms auf ausgewählte kognitive und motorische Fähigkeiten bei Demenzpatienten – eine Pilotstudie

“…Brancatisano et al. ( 2019 ) and van de Winckel, Feys, de Weerdt, and Dom ( 2004 ) found similar effects following their music-based exercise programs. They also demonstrated significant improvement in MMSE scores.…”

“…Music interventions could also reach people with dementia in the same way. They positively influence the emotional, social, and personal levels (Brancatisano, Baird, & Thompson, 2019 ). Memories of various events are closely associated with music (Cloos, 2014 ).…”