The use of music to decrease agitated behaviour of the demented elderly: the state of the science

Abstract

This paper reviews the state of the science of interventions using music to decrease the agitated behaviour of the demented elderly person. Seven research articles were located through computerized databases. The review of the literature suggested that music therapy is a useful intervention to help patients deal with a range of behaviour problems. However, overall weakness and limitations of studies are considerable. More rigorous research designs are required to evaluate the immediate and sustained physiological, psychological and sociological effects of music therapy on agitation behaviours of demented elderly. Some recommendations for future research are provided.

Effect of Music Therapy on Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Alzheimer’s Type Dementia: Randomised, Controlled Study

“…In 1999, Koger et al [4] emphasised the lack of published randomised controlled studies. Only 1 review of the literature focused on the effect of music therapy on agitation [5] . Based on the analysis of 7 studies, the author Table 6.…”

“…Recent clinical studies, namely in functional neuroimaging, have been able to evidence the favourable role of music therapy in the management of Alzheimer's disease [4,5] . Music-based therapy corresponds to 2 fundamental methods, a 'receptive' listening-based method, and an 'active' method, based on playing musical instruments.…”

“…Figure 5 and table 5 show the values for the GDS obtained during the different visits, together with the variations observed from one examination to the other.…”

Arirang; elegant sound and deep sorrow, which are unique to Korean is revived on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/.watch?v=snmNp778JcY)

“…Music has a lot of aims. Its multidimensional nature moves the individual's physical, psychological and mental levels of awareness (Lou, 2001). In 2003, Russell Bachorowski and Fernandez-Dols noted that in particular, pitch modulation shows to transmit information about the relative sensible engagement, or enhancement, of a speaker (Puts, 2006).…”

Multi-Purpose Activities in Ergotherapy

“…Light and mid-rythmical music is preferred. Music therapy in different categories, such as orchestral music, piano and jazz, decreases the heart rate and respiratory rate, increases body temperature and also the body relaxation (Hsu& Lai, 2004;Lai, 1999Lai, , 2004Lou, 2001;Sherratt et al, 2004;Sung& Chang, 2005;Hanser & Thompson, 1994). Nevertheless, another study has indicated that music does not have any effect on pain perception in stroke patients having upper extremity exercises (Kim&Koh, 2005).…”