Research shows how music can reduce distress

An estimated 1 million people in the UK have dementia, with more than half being diagnosed with advanced dementia, which may require specialist care and is often accompanied by behaviors such as irritability, aggression, wandering and resistance to care.

published in journal natural mental healthThe study reveals the diverse benefits of music therapy, identifies mechanisms that explain why music has these effects, and provides a blueprint for implementing effective music therapy for people with advanced dementia.

Music therapy is provided by a trained therapist and involves singing, playing or listening to music. Therapists can also identify specific ways in which families and caregivers use music in the individual’s daily care.

The new study, led by Naomi Thompson of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge, UK, is the first realist review of music therapy in dementia care, combining academic research with stakeholder input to develop Provide guidance on personalized interventions.

Research shows that if music therapy is designed to address individual needs, it can immediately, short-term reduce irritability and anxiety and improve attention, engagement, alertness and mood in people with advanced dementia. Musical interaction can help people feel safer and more oriented in their surroundings, thereby reducing levels of distress and improving well-being.

This effect occurs because music, whether played, sung or listened to, provides cognitive and sensory stimulation, activating networks on both sides of the brain, thereby accessing a person’s remaining abilities and memories, and helping people manage their emotions. And stay calm. Music can also be customized to reduce physiological stress, especially stress on the autonomic nervous system.

Compared to memories without music, music-induced memories, especially those triggered by familiar music, are recalled more quickly, are more positive and concrete, and are often associated with earlier in a person’s life. It has been found that songs between the ages of 10 and 30 are most effective.

As a form of non-verbal communication, music is accessible regardless of cognitive impairment or musical ability and provides opportunities for social interaction with staff, caregivers, patients or care home residents.

The study recommends that music therapists train other professionals to ensure that music is accessible to all staff involved in the care of people with advanced dementia, regardless of their experience. Resources should be provided, including instruments and information on how to create personalized playlists, and families should be encouraged to use music to support their relatives.

Participation in music can also benefit caregivers and family members by reducing stress and improving their health. It can provide meaningful moments that are different from usual interactions with carers, it can build empathy and it can help staff better engage with people with dementia, especially during periods of heightened distress.

The study included interviews with staff and music therapists on inpatient mental health dementia wards at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, a systematic review of published research and a national survey of healthcare professionals. The researchers are also working with specialist dementia care charity Dementia UK.

Lead author Naomi Thompson, from the Cambridge Institute of Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University, said: “As the population ages and the number of people diagnosed with dementia continues to increase, music is a relatively A simple and cost-effective way to improve people’s quality of life.

“Our research not only shows why music therapy is successful – including meeting people’s need for stimulation, supporting familiarity through memory, encouraging relationships and emotional expression, and crucially helping to reduce pain and anxiety – it also for its widespread use in dementia care.

“Music, especially recorded music, is a convenient way for staff and families to help relieve pain, and music therapists can provide recommendations for tailoring music to individuals. Just like a doctor prescribing medication at a specific dose and frequency, a music therapist can Outline a personalized plan for how to use music throughout someone’s day to relieve pain and improve their health.

Co-author Dr Ben Underwood, director of research and development at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and associate professor at the University of Cambridge, said: “People with advanced dementia sometimes become very miserable and we need to find the best ways to Helping them Music is one thing that can help, so I’m delighted to see us working together to produce such high quality work to see how we can bring music therapy to people with dementia on the NHS.