Music can evoke strong emotions of all kinds – both feelings of relaxation, serenity and tranquility may arise, as well as revitalization and activation.
Music processing is often spared from the neurodegenerative changes of Alzheimer’s disease. While language and other cognitive abilities break down continuously, musical abilities appear to remain largely intact.
Listening to music can act at different levels: Autobiographical events in dementia patients should be more easily remembered, attentional processes, memory skills and fluency should be improved. Especially behavioral problems such as wandering, confusion, agitation, irritability or aggression are common symptoms in Alzheimer’s patients. Numerous scientific studies have shown the positive impact of receptive music therapy in dementia patients. Music can soothe and relax, reduce anxiety and agitation, improve interaction skills and social behavior. Fears, depression or pain can be alleviated, night sleep can be promoted. In contrast, Music can also activate and encourage movement.
Ordering, structuring properties are attributed to music, it can have an emotionalizing and memory triggering effect, promote community life and interaction and stimulate cognitive skills. In consequence, autonomy and self-worth of Alzheimer patients improve.
Music interventions in the care of old and demented people are non-invasive, inexpensive and easy to integrate into the daily care
Numerous characteristic behavioral problems can be significantly reduced: research shows, for example, that music can be a therapeutic option against the frequently occurring problem of malnutrition in Alzheimer patients. Inadequate caloric intake is often directly related to a stress and anxiety-promoting environment while eating. In nursing homes, more calories were taken to be patient, if background music was played during meals. People stayed longer at the table, ate meals more slowly and thus received more food. In addition, it was found that patients generally behaved more social and the staff had a better access to the patient.
Other studies found effects of listening to relaxing music on bathing patients. Aggressive behavior during the procedure of bathing could be effectively reduced. Other studies have reported a reduction of verbal agitation or agitation in general, while the patients listened to music on tape or CD player.
Music in Alzheimer therapy improves positive social behavior, reduces negative behaviors and leads primarily to increased subjective well-being and joy. Patients are much less anxious and tense when music is heard, depression values decrease significantly.
Music is closely related to hormones that regulate emotions and human behavior. Many studies could detect that musical stimulation affects different biochemical substances – especially cortisol. It is believed that stress reduction when listening to music is attributable to the decrease in cortisol levels – so listening to music can relieve stress and can act on anxiety and tension.
More recent studies report effects of music therapy, among others for the presence of the hormone testosterone, which is also associated with Alzheimer’s disease. With increasing age and a decrease in cognitive performance a drop in testosterone is associated. By increasing the level of the characteristic the degeneration of neurofibrillary tangles is to be counteracted. It is believed that music can affect the hormone balance, similar to a hormone replacement therapy.