Music, Mind, Mood, and Mingling in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Music-based interventions may help to alleviate neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia and promote prosocial interactions between individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. However, current literature does not combine these evidence bases toward explanation of how music-based interventions may alleviate symptoms and promote prosocial interactions. Objective: We conducted a scoping review to address the following question: what do the evidence bases suggest toward how music therapy or music-based therapeutic interventions might promote prosocial interactions between individuals living with dementia and their caregivers? Methods: In this review we focused on: 1) quantitative and qualitative evidence of music-based therapies promoting prosocial behaviors in individuals living with dementia, and 2) potential neurobehavioral mechanisms associated with the processes involved with how music may promote prosocial interactions. Databases included PubMed, EBSCOhost’s CINAHL and PsycINFO, Cochrane Library (sub-search conducted using ALOIS, the Specialized Register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group), Web of Science, clinicaltrials.gov, ProQuest’s Biological Science Collection, the Journal of Music Therapy, Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, and Google Scholar. Results: Sixteen original research studies were included for evidence synthesis. This scoping review reveals the need to define and clarify mechanisms of prosocial interactions between individuals living with dementia and their caregivers considering biological and social factors. These mechanisms may include dynamic interactions between preserved brain regions associated with music-evoked autobiographical memory recall and shifts from negative to positive mood states. Conclusion: Defining and clarifying how and to what extent music may promote prosocial behaviors using well-designed and well-controlled mixed-methods studies may positively influence the design of interventions to promote prosocial interactions with caregivers.

The Impacts of Background Music on the Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Positive Emotions

“…These findings suggest that listening to music contributes to emotion regulation, especially when the music is perceived as joyful and pleasant or possesses predictable, consonant harmonies. Moreover, studies utilizing music as a therapeutic intervention have already demonstrated the benefits of music-related activities on individuals [ 26 , 27 , 28 ], especially for positive emotions [ 27 , 29 ] and pro-social attitudes [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Exploring the Clinical Utility of the Music Therapy Assessment Tool for Awareness in Disorders of Consciousness (MATADOC) with People with End-Stage Dementia

“…Research on the use and benefits of music therapy among persons with end-stage dementia remains limited with a majority of studies examining cognitive function, behavioural and psychological functioning, and quality of life [ 14 ]. Despite the significant impairments associated with the disease, music interventions are accessible for people across the dementia spectrum and help to enhance cognitive functioning, promote social interactions and prosocial behaviours [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Research in the 1990s found that individuals in late-stage dementia could engage successfully with music through dancing and rhythm [ 18 , 19 ].…”