Music therapy for Alzheimer's disease

Music therapy (MT) is one of the most common treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD).The effectiveness of music therapy can depend on the quality and length of treatment as well as other factors.Some of the most common effects of MT are improved social behaviors, like interpersonal interactions and conversations. Overall, MT improves social behaviors by reducing wandering, restlessness, and agitated behaviors.

Music memory preservation

Music-related memory consists of multi dimensions that include “abstract objects (compositions, notes), emotions as represented in music, physical sources (instruments), and symbols (musical notation). Music memory appears to be spared brain function in the early stages of AD as cognitive functions deteriorate. Some studies propose that music memory is preserved in patients with AD to allow for holistic encoding and heighten arousal to improve attention and memory. Understanding the structure of music memory more insight into the development of Alzhiemer’s disease and why music therapy is effective.

Structure of music memory in Alzheimer's Patients

Some studies believe that there are different types of music memory similar to memory not related to music. As a result, the various forms of music memory can be differentially impaired by AD; therefore, music memory is not totally unforgettable in Alzheimer's patients. Furthermore, some studies support the idea that music memory is a distinctive domain separate from verbal or visual memory.^[11] A synthesis of studies proposes that long-term music memory consists of two forms: explicit and implicit function. Numerous studies have suggested that the episodic memory becomes significantly impaired in AD.

Types of music therapy for Alzheimer's Disease

Music Therapy is a type of treatment and interventions used to create soothing, stimulating environments to improve to enhance pro-social behavior and reduce agitated behaviors.MT demonstrates that AD patients can continue participating in structured music activities even when their functioning level continues to deteriorate. Individuals in the final stages of Alzheimer’s also benefit from the use music therapy, because it has sedative and comfort purposes.There are several different types of music therapy for patients with Alzheimer’s. For example, some daily interventions of music include playing an instrument, singing, listening to recorded music, movement to music. Most types of music therapy are effective at alleviating and reducing agitated behaviors and refocusing attention.

Playing instruments

Instruments are often implemented in MT for Alzheimer’s patients that have musical backgrounds, because in many cases procedural musical memory is still preserved. As a result, some patients with AD retain the ability to play instruments, such as the piano. Some studies suggest for people with minimal guitar experience to implement MT that involves playing easy instruments. A study utilized the Autoharp and Omni, which are simple instruments that Alzheimer’s patients without musical background can use as a music therapy to stimulate and soothe

Differences in effects of AD in musicians and non-musicians

What happens when a musician gets Alzheimer’s disease? There are collective studies that contain evidence for differences between musicians and non-musicians in brain structure and functions in certain regions of brain. Also, studies have shown differences in brain plasticity due to stimulation of learning or practicing a musical instrument. Furthermore, whether musician or not, all types of people with Alzheimer’s, can benefit from the use of music therapy. However, in the early stages, there appears to be no substantial difference in the affect of AD on the brains of musicians and non-musicians. Although there appears to be more obvious preservation of musical abilities in people with AD who have had prior musical experience, patients with minimal music experience may also demonstrate relative preservation of music memory, especially procedural musical memory

Famous musician, Glen Campbell, whom suffered from Alzheimer's.