Music Therapy and Physical Activity to Ease Anxiety, Restlessness, Irritability, and Aggression in Individuals With Dementia With Signs of Frontotemporal Lobe Degeneration

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate whether a combined intervention of physical activity and music therapy could reduce anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and aggression among individuals with severe dementia. An exploratory design was used to evaluate a combined intervention of physical activity, music therapy, and daily walking. Interventions were systematically implemented for 8 weeks. Target groups were individuals with dementia with frontal lobe symptoms in institutional care. Primary outcome measure was the Brøset Violence Checklist (BVC). Four men and two women (mean age = 84.3 years) and their primary caretakers ( n = 6) participated. The most prominent symptoms among participants at baseline were confusion, irritability, and verbal threats. The individual BVC total scores indicated significant improvements ( p = 0.03). Implementation of individualized music therapy combined with increased physical activity for 8 weeks was a feasible intervention that reduced anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and aggression in the current study. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57 (5), 29–37.]

Apitherapy for Age-Related Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction (Sarcopenia): A Review on the Effects of Royal Jelly, Propolis, and Bee Pollen

“…Longitudinal data show that the currently-occurring global crisis, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19), is likely to aggravate the development of sarcopenia in young groups by promoting unhealthy lifestyle [11]. On one hand, physical inactivity is increasing as a result of the lockdown measures and stay home strategies adopted by most governments to limit the spread of this infection [11][12][13]. On the other hand, food production has been seriously affected during the COVID-19 outbreak along with increase in food prices, which prompt people to consume unhealthy/processed foods since they are cheaper than fresh and healthy ones [14].…”

COVID-19: A pandemic that threatens physical and mental health by promoting physical inactivity

“… 8 Staying at home entails a remarkable decrease in the level of physical activity among a large sector of the population in most communities due to a significant increase in sedentary behaviors, 9 which pertain to stopping work temporarily or working online; having lower chances for walking and exercising e.g., on the streets or in public parks; and allocating more time for social media and television (TV) viewing, which are commonly accompanied by eating not related to hunger. 10 , 11 In fact, longitudinal data from China indicate that the COVID-19 outbreak is associated with prolonged sleeping time and decreased physical activity among young groups (< 35 years). 12…”

“… 11 On the other hand, engaging in organized physical activity is documented to reduce anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and aggression in people with dementia, who express age-related reduction in the levels of physical activity. 10 …”

Efficacy of Music Therapy on Adolescents with Depressive Symptoms

“…Music therapy has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating the various symptoms and comorbidities of depression by positively influencing individuals in ways that benefit both their physical and emotional well-being. For specific cohorts such as dementia patients and pregnant women, music therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety, irritability, aggression, and stress (Chang et al, 2008;Langhammer et al, 2019). In addition to reductions in anxiety and stress, Hwang and Oh (2013) found that music therapy reduced anger in alcoholic-dependent participants with depression.…”

“…As rates of adolescent depression in the USA continue to rise, music therapy has become increasingly recognized as an effective treatment for depression and depressive symptoms (Mojtabai et al, 2016;Weinberger et al, 2017). Broadly speaking, the current literature in the field of music therapy contains an abundance of qualitative and quantitative studies performed in various contexts and observed through various outcomes, such as emotional, behavioral, and neurological, to demonstrate music therapy's efficacy (e.g., Aalbers et al, 2017;Albornoz, 2011;Algoodkar & Sunitha, 2019;Chang et al, 2008;Erkkilä et al, 2011;Langhammer et al, 2019;Mohammadi et al, 2011;Popa, 2015;Raglio et al, 2015;Ramirez et al, 2018;Sharma & Jagdev, 2012;Shiranibidabadi & Mehryar, 2015;Wu, 2002). From its ability to improve health outcomes and the quality of life of patients diagnosed with myriad physical and psychological disorders to its ability to reduce depressive symptoms, according to the evidence from meta-analyses and systematic reviews, music therapy is accepted as a viable treatment method across the board (e.g., Aalbers et al, 2017;Kamioka et al, 2014;Leubner & Hinterberger, 2017;Stegemann et al, 2019;Tang et al, 2020;Zhao, 2016).…”