The Effect of Music on People With Alzheimer’s Disease

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Literature Review
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of primary degenerative dementia of late age, which is characterized by a gradual, subtle onset in old age, a steady progression of memory disorders and higher cortical functions up to a total breakdown of intelligence and mental activity in general, as well as a typical set of neuropathological signs. However, it is important to note that the given mental disorder can be treated with music as a means of non-pharmacological intervention. The given research paper will focus on five main musicological aspects, which are relaxing music and parasympathetic modulation, music and memory, music and cognitive measures, combination methods, and singing. The evidence suggests that one of the most prominent effects of music on patients with Alzheimer’s disease is autobiographical memory preservation alongside the stimulation of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Literature Review

Relaxing Music and Parasympathetic Modulation

The paper will primarily derive valuable conclusions and information based on the existing research on the topic of music and AD. According to a study, the authors claim: “music playlists and focused on relaxation techniques tended to yield greater benefits on AD persons. We hypothesize this is due to the enhancement of autobiographical memory, autonomy, and parasympathetic modulation, which in turn has positive effects on cognition and behavior” (Leggieri et al., 2019, p. 7). In other words, the overall benefit of the musical intervention was primarily effective during the usage of relaxing music, where the rhythm and tone were not dynamic. This, in turn, stimulated the parasympathetic nervous system, which is mainly the opposite framework to a “flight and fight” response. Therefore, AD patients were able to achieve a rested phase, where their heart rate and breathing rate slowed down, which resulted in the general improvement of their autobiographical memory and autonomy. The latter is due to the fact that these individuals were able to remember at an improved rate than previously. Thus, the key elements of the research are manifested in the relationship between music and autobiographical memory enhancement.

Music and Memory

The second musicological element is rooted in the role of music and memory because memory-based deterioration among AD patients is among the central issues. A study, which assessed the role of music therapy among these individuals, suggests that: “the dopaminergic system, the autonomic nervous system, and the default network in explaining how music may enhance memory function in persons with AD” (Peck et al., 2016, p. 949). In other words, there is a clear correlation between memory preservation enhancement and the dopaminergic system, which is a part of a sympathetic nervous system. To achieve such an effect, most dynamic and fast-paced music is necessary because the given nervous system is primarily focused on the “flight and fight” response. Therefore, a person becomes more active and aware of the surrounding elements and better able to associate memory units with each other, which, in turn, leads to memory improvement.

Music and Cognitive Measures

The third musicological aspect addresses the required quantity of musical therapy for AD patients, where improvements were recorded in a wide range of cognitive measurements. It is stated that cognitive metrics, such as anxiety, depression, orientation, and memory alongside hallucinations, language disorders, irritability, and agitation, showed significant positive enhancements after only four sessions of music therapy (Gómez Gallego & Gómez García, 2017). It is evident that some of these cognitive measure elements are tightly interlinked, but one might argue that music was able to better the overall mental state of AD patients. In other words, music type is not as substantial as the quantity or dosage of the music sessions, where a consistent series of four such therapies led to improvements in all major areas of mental health.

Combination Methods

The fourth musicological element is based on the notion of combination approaches, where music therapy is not prescribed as a sole measure, but rather a core prerequisite, which needs to be delivered in conjunction with another activity. The research claims that introduction of a combination method of music alongside physical exercise, video games, art, and dance can be highly useful in achieving the desired outcomes (Fang et al., 2017). However, it is critical to utilize these combinatory techniques on an individualized basis, where a person’s physical capabilities and limitations are taken into a consideration. In other words, the combination-based approach cannot be used in a standardized fashion, which means that a personalized measure is a necessity o yield the betterments of the mental state among people with AD.

Singing

The last musicological element revolves around the topic of active participation within a music therapy session, which is singing. It is stated that: “singing is proven to release oxytocin, which leads to reduced anxiety and stress” (Watson, 2019, para. 7). The given activity is among the most suitable ones due to the well-known fact that music and songs stem from a similar tendency of humans to enjoy sounds. In other words, it can be beneficial due to a mere notion of the listening process being a passive activity, whereas singing is active. In addition, it is plausible because the specified activity does not require a person to be physically fit or healthy. For example, dancing is a risky activity for older individuals, who can suffer from fall damage, and video games might require good eye-hand coordination as well as decent eyesight. Therefore, singing can be categorized as the most effective and safest combinatory measure, and it is also ideal for music therapy sessions.

Discussion

The analysis of the existing recent literature reveals that music therapy in conjunction or on its own can lead to a wide range of positive outcomes. Although each research lists a number of different mental health elements, which were affected by the corresponding music session, one of the most reoccurring ones is memory. Almost all sources indicate that memory, or more specifically, autobiographical memory, was the most significant and common improvement after the exposure of AD patients to music therapy. It is responsible for the memories related to one’s own personal life, where he or she is capable of recalling his or her name and personal history (Gulgoz & Sahin-Acar, 2020). It is also the most important type of cognitive element since the lack of it leads to severe disorientation and loss, which can result in risky behaviors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the given research analyzed and assessed the effects of music on patients with Alzheimer’s diseases. Five musicological aspects were identified, which are relaxing music and parasympathetic modulation, music and memory, music and cognitive measures, combination methods, and singing. Although music sessions can yield a wide range of benefits on the basis of a type of music used or combination with another activity, the most significant one is the preservation of autobiographical memory. Therefore, music therapy should be used among AD patients both as the sole approach and combinatory technique.

References

Fang, R., Ye, S., Huangfu, J., & Calimag, D. P. (2017). Music therapy is a potential intervention for cognition of Alzheimer’s Disease: A mini-review.Translational Neurodegeneration, 6(2), 1-8. Web.

Gómez Gallego, M., & Gómez García, J. (2017). Music therapy and Alzheimer’s disease: Cognitive, psychological, and behavioural effects.Neurología (English Edition), 32(5), 300-308. Web.

Gulgoz, S., & Sahin-Acar, B. (2020). Autobiographical memory development: Theoretical and methodological approaches. Routledge.

Leggieri, M., Thaut, M. H., Fornazzari, L., Schweizer, T. A., Barfett, J., Munoz, D. G., & Fischer, C. E. (2019). Music intervention approaches for Alzheimer’s disease: A review of the literature.Frontiers in Neuroscience, 13, 1-8. Web.

Peck, K. J., Girard, T. A., Russo, F. A., & Fiocco, A. J. (2016). Music and memory in Alzheimer’s disease and the potential underlying mechanisms. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 51(4), 949-959.

Watson, M. (2019). How music awakens those with Alzheimer’s?Caring Senior Service. Web.

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