Additions to the Music Category

Here are three additions to be added to the Music category contributed by Anne Basting.

Palo-Bengtsson L, Ekman S. (1997). Social dancing in the care of persons with dementia in a nursing home setting: A phenomenological study. Scholarly Inquiry for Nursing Practice: An International Journal, 11, 101-123.

Palo-Bengtsson L, Winblad, B., & Ekman S. (1998). Social dancing: A way to support intellectual, emotional and motor functions in persons with dementia. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 5, 545-554.

Verghese, J., Lipton, R. B., Katz, M. J., Hall, C. B., Derby, C. A., Kuslansky, G., Ambrose, A. F., Sliwinski, M., & Buschke, H. (2003). New England Journal of Medicine, 348, 2508-2516.

Palo-Bengston, L., & Ekman, S. L. (2002). Emotional response to social dancing and walks in persons with dementia. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease And Other Dementias, 17, 149-153.

And, here is another addition just published:

Raglio, Alfredo MT; Bellelli, Giuseppe MD; Traficante, Daniela PsyD, PhD; Gianotti, Marta MT; Ubezio, Maria Chiara MD; Villani, Daniele MD; Trabucchi, Marco MD. Efficacy of Music Therapy in the Treatment of Behavioral and Psychiatric Symptoms of Dementia. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders. 22(2):158-162, April/June 2008.

Contributed by Don Moyer.

Annotated Results: 1 Music

Please add comments. Tell us about work we've missed. Add work published after we closed our review.

In your annotated additions please tell what was studied, what benefits were found, what quality of life benefits were found, and how well benefits were sustained.

Thanks. Don

1. Music

Aldridge, D. (2003). Music therapy references relating to cancer and palliative care. British Journal of Music Therapy, 17(1), 17-25.
This article looks at the impact of MT on the experiences of cancer and end-of-life care. Findings suggest various benefits of creative expression, including dealing with loss, relief of suffering, restoration of identity, empowerment and helping to find meaning in challenging situations.

Aldridge, D (Ed.) (2000). Music Therapy in Dementia Care. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
This edited volume includes pieces from many of the pioneers in music therapy, including the editor and contributors throughout the world. It covers a wide range of the clinical benefits of MT for PWD. This is a great resource for those interests in a comprehensive overview of the empirical work and clinical experiences of music therapists until 2000.

Aldridge, D. (1998). Music Therapy and the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. Journal of Clinical Geropsychology, 4(1), 17-30.
This article traces how anecdotal evidence supports how music therapy can improve QOL (sense of belonging, acceptance), and improvised musical therapy in particular can supplement mental state exams and assess small memory changes. The article highlighted the case study of a 55 female depressed patient with AD who was given 10 40-minute sessions and after playing the piano was able to cook and write her name, and was less depressed. While the study’s emphasis is still “management strategy,” fun is also considered, marginally. “…music therapy appears to play an important role in enhancing the ability to actively take part in daily life…” (27).

Aldridge, D. & Aldridge, G. (1992). Two epistemologies: music therapy and medicine in the treatment of dementia. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 19, 243-255.
This study suggests that the musical assessment of AD patient behavior, which would recognize nonverbal therapeutic changes, may provide a complementary assessment tool in diagnosing dementia and assessing current abilities, when used with medical diagnosis. The authors point out that the “normal process of cognitive loss in aging” is still unknown, and we are even more “in the dark as to the normal improvisational musical abilities of the elderly.” The authors note that although clinical benefits remain speculative, their study has helped create a common language to discuss and compare therapeutic changes, a first step in research dialogue.

Ashida, S. (2000). The effect of reminiscence music therapy sessions on changes in depressive symptoms in elderly persons with dementia. Journal of Music Therapy, 37, 170-182.
This article looks at the impact of music therapies that use reminiscence on depressive symptoms of seniors with various dementias. The author reports that MT can be effectively used to treat depressed mood in seniors with dementia.

Bright, R. (1992). Music Therapy in the Management of Dementia. In B. Miesen & G. Jones (Eds.), Caregiving in Dementia: Research and Applications. London: Routledge.
This article looks at the impact of music therapies in managing the symptoms of various dementias in seniors. The approach is a medical one, with no attention paid to the qualitative experiences of participants.

Brotons, M. & Koger, S.M. (2000). The Impact of Music Therapy on Language Functioning in Dementia. Journal of Music Therapy, XXXVII, 183-195.
This article looks at the effect of AT in improving specific areas of cognitive functioning, namely language. A case study approach was used to elicit the positive impact of AT on the verbal skills of PWD.

Brotons, M. & Marti, P. (2003). Music therapy with Alzheimer’s patients and their family caregivers: a pilot project. Journal of Music Therapy, 40, 138-150.
This article looks at the effect of AT in improving language functioning in persons with dementia and depression for diagnosed individuals and their support persons. The authors found that PWD had significant decreases in agitated behaviors at the 10th session of group MT.

Bugos, J.A.; Perlstein, W.M.; McCrae, C.S.; Brophy, T.S.; & Bedenbaugh, P.H. (2007). Individualized Piano Instruction (IPI) enhances executive functioning and working memory in older adults. Aging and Mental Health, 11(4), 464-471.
IPI is cited as a ‘potential cognitive intervention’ to mitigate normal age-related decline in older adults. 16/31 musically naïve subjects were in the experimental group. The goal of the study was to evaluate the role of musical instruction in intervention to prevent mild age-related memory loss or maintain cognitive skills in normal aging. The results found that IPI may increase cognitive abilities related to attention and concentration, contributing to overall working memory but there was no mention of enrichment.

Butterfield-Whitcomb, J. (1994). “I would weave a song for you”: Therapeutic music and milieu for dementia residents. Activities, Adaptation and Aging, 18(2), 57-74.
The author, a music therapist for over 15 years, describe strategies she has successfully used with PWD to assist professionals, caregivers, and health care professionals to help improve QOL. The author argues that symptoms like agitation, depression, fear, confusion, loneliness can be ameliorated by playing music from the early lives of PWD that is meaningful and appealing to them. Her aim is to focus on “therapy strategies that foster behavior management in ways that enable patients to find meaning, self-expression, and peace of mind, while remaining restraint free whenever possible” (60). “I think the creation and maintenance of therapeutic environment should be thought of as a way of life, a primary goal of the facility, not an activity” (69).

Butterfield-Whitcomb, J. (1993). The way to go home: Creating comfort through therapeutic music and milieu. American Journal of Alzheimer's Care and Related Disorders and Research, 8(6), 1-10.
This article examines how to use MT to enhance QoL, namely comfort, for PWAD. Therapeutic music was found to improve QoL for participants. The author, a music therapist for over 15 years, describe strategies she has successfully used with PWD to assist professionals, caregivers, and health care professionals to help improve QOL.

Carruth, E. (1997). The effects of singing and the spaced retrieval technique on improving face-name recognition in nursing home residents with memory loss. Journal of Music Therapy, 34(3), 165-186.
This article looks at the effects of singing and spaced retrieval on improving face-name recognition in participants with memory loss living in nursing homes. The study tested residents’ ability to name familiar staff members when shown photos after a singing activity and found that MT is a good way to improve the recognition and naming abilities of some nursing home residents who suffer from memory loss, due to increased cognition during the MT treatment.

Christie, M.E. (1992). Music therapy applications in a skilled and intermediate care nursing home facility: A clinical study. Activities, Adaptation and Aging, 16(4), 69-87.
This article looks at the use of MT with seniors living in various levels of nursing facilities. The author argues that group MT can be used to increase the QoL of residents.

Clair, A.A. (1996). The effect of singing on alert responses in persons with late stage dementia. Journal of Music Therapy, 33(4), 234-247.
This article examines the effect of singing on the alertness of persons with severe dementia. It suggests that MT can increase the attention span of participants. The author reports that PWAD are in most instances able to participate in MT and increases in well-being are observed as a result.

Clark, M.E.; Lipe, A.W. & Bilbrey, M. (1998). Use of music to decrease aggressive behaviors in people with dementia. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 24(7), 10-17.
This article looks at the impact of an individualized music intervention in promoting relaxation and relieving anxiety (i.e., reducing agitated and aggressive behaviors) in persons with dementia.

Cuddy, L.L. & Duffin, J. (2005). Music, memory, and Alzheimer’s disease: is music recognition spared in dementia, and how can it be assessed? Medical Hypotheses, 64, 229-235.
This article looks at the effect of music on motor activity and memory recall. Findings suggest that music recognition may be spared and motor functioning may be improved in persons with dementia through the use of music therapy. In particular, memory for familiar music was spared in PWD and MT may prompt motor activity and memory recall for participants.

Daykin, N.; McClean, S. & Bunt, L. (2007). Creativity, identity and healing: participants’ accounts of music therapy in cancer care. health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine, 11(3), 349-370.
This qualitative study conducts semi-structured interviews with 23 respondents following a single-session group music intervention as part of a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) program to understand first-person accounts of the experience of cancer. The authors discuss the importance of identity and the role of creativity in processes of individuation and healing when dealing with cancer. Accordingly, in research on MT, or CAM therapies, issues of identity can be key to an understanding of questions of therapeutic impact.

Daykin, N. (2005). Disruption, dissonance and embodiment: Creativity, health and risk in music narratives. health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine, 9(1), 67-87.
This article looks at the role of creativity in the music narratives of musicians following illness or injury. She suggests that creativity is used to help make sense of biographical disruptions caused by illness/injury.

Garwin, L. (2007). Harmony of the Hemispheres. Nature, 449, 977.
(Review of Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks, and This is our brain on music: understanding a human obsession, by Daniel Levitin.)
This review provides evidence as to why music therapy is possibly conducive to PWD. Sacks cites the example of a man who cannot dress himself or remember his job but “still knows the baritone parts of hundreds of songs, performs successfully in public, and seems to recover his essential ‘self’ while he is singing.”

Gerdner, L.A. (2005). Use of individualized music by trained staff and family: Translating research into practice. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 31(6), 22-30.
This article described a pilot study using mixed methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of individualized music (customized to the personal preferences of eight female residents with ADRD) for the management of agitation when implemented by trained staff and family. The music was played on a CD player 30 minutes daily at a time selected to precede residents’ peak level of agitation. The results were that all CNAs reported a reduction in resident agitation during presentation of individualized music. They also commented on the pleasure participants attained in simply listening to the music. Some became actively involved, dancing and singing. A key factor contributing to the music’s effectiveness was the ability of family members to provide information that allowed a selection of music that was meaningful and elicited positive memories. Other benefits were that the music allowed for collaboration between staff and families, and promoted humanistic, individualized care and enhanced QOL.

Gerdner, L.A. (2000). Effects of individualized versus classical relaxation music on the frequency of agitation in elderly persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. International Psychogeriatrics, 12, 49-65.
This article compares the impact of individual versus classical relaxation music therapies on occurrence of agitated behaviors in persons with AD. This crossover design on 39 individuals with agitation and severe cognitive impairment showed a significant reduction in agitation during and following an individualized compared to a classical music session.

Gerdner, L.A. (1999). Individualized music intervention protocol. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 25(10), 10-16.
This article looks at the impact of an individualized music intervention in promoting relaxation and relieving anxiety (i.e., reducing agitated behavior).

Glynn, N.J. (1992). The music therapy assessment tool in Alzheimer’s patients. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 18(1), 3-9.
This article looks at the impact of music therapies to assess the cognitive functioning and affect of seniors with AD. The authors devised the Music Therapy Assessment Tool to “assess the effects of music therapy on behavioural patterns of Alzheimer’s disease patients.” The instrument does not appear to have been utilized or reported on since. The medical approach does not discuss subjective experiences of MT.

Groene, R.W. (1993). Effectiveness of music therapy—1:1 intervention with individuals having senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Journal of Music Therapy, 30(3), 138-157.
This article explores the effectiveness of 1:1 MT on the cognitive performance of persons with SDAT. It suggests that MT is a form of cognitive stimulation that can enhance cognitive functioning.

Hanser, S.B. (2005). Challenges of music therapy in a world of need. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 32(3), 217-224.
This article discusses the challenges of implementing and measuring the effects of MT in various different health and social care settings using a diverse range of practices.

Holmes, C.; Knights, A.; Dean. C.; Hodkinson, S. & Hopkins, V. (2006). Keep music live: music and the alleviation of apathy in dementia subjects. International Psychogeriatrics, 18(4), 623-630.
32 subjects in the south of England meeting ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for moderate to severe dementia and fulfilling criteria for apathy were exposed to live, interactive music, passive pre-recorded music, or silence, for 30 minutes. Each subject was video-recorded and the recording was analyzed every 3 minutes using DCM to assess the quality of engagement. The results of this study indicated that, compared to the silent placebo period, the majority (69%) of subjects, regardless of their diagnosed dementia severity, showed a significant and positive engagement to live music. Pre-recorded music was non-significant (25%). No subjects showed a state of ill-being during either form of music exposure. “This placebo-controlled trial shows evidence that music is of benefit in the short term treatment of apathy in subjects with moderate to severe dementia” (628). Stated limitations of this study included that the study only examined immediate effects and not long-term consequences.

Jennings, B. & Vance, D. (2002). The short-term effects of music therapy on different types of agitation in adults with Alzheimer’s. Activities, Adaptation and Aging, 26, 27-33.
This article examines the effects of music therapy on various types of agitated behaviors related to AD. Findings report that residents’ agitated behaviors were reduced significantly over time after four sessions of group MT.

Killick, J. (2001). The Power of Song. Elderly Care, 12,10, 12-13.
This article looks at the power of song for brining meaning into the lives of seniors in general. It is based on anecdotal evidence of participant satisfaction.

Korlin, D. & Wrangsjo, B. (2002). Treatment effects of guided imagery and music (GIM) therapy. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 11(1), 3-15.
This article looks at the effects of guided imagery and music (GIM) therapy as relaxation technique to help treat dementia symptoms. It finds minimal “treatment effects” (without specifying which exactly) for GIM participants.

Kovach, C. & Henschel, H. (1996). Planning activities for patients with dementia. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 22(9), 33-38.
This article examines the effect of various MT interventions on the attention span of persons with dementia. It suggests that MT can increase the attention span of participants. The authors founds that PWD were able to verbalize coherent thoughts related to a topic more often during exercise and MT programs than in AT and cognitive activities. Study subjects also spent more time actively participating in these activities, and song lyric recall was much better than recollection of other cognitive information.

Krout, R. (2007). Music listening to facilitate relaxation and promote wellness: integrated aspects of our neurophysiological responses to music. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 34(2), 134-141.
In this study, the role listening to music plays in enhancing neurophysiological and emotional responses related to relaxation is discussed. Suggestions are provided for general consumers to create their own wellness/relaxation regime.

Kumar, A.; Tims, F.; Cruess, D. et al. (1999). Music therapy increases serum melatonin levels in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Alternative Therapies, 5(6), 49-57.
This article looks at the impact of MT on promoting relaxation and relieving anxiety (i.e., reducing agitated behavior) in PWAD. It finds significant increases in the melatonin levels of PWAD after attending daily MT sessions, and further increases after a 6 week follow-up. Sessions included active singing, drumming, and instrumental improvisation. Melatonin levels decrease with age, and the related aging effects are much higher for those with AD. The authors conclude that the increased melatonin related to MT may have contributed to participants’ relaxed and calm mood.

Kydd, P. (2001). Using music therapy to help a client with Alzheimer’s disease adapt to long-term care. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, 16, 2, 103-108.
This case study explored the influence of music therapy on improving QoL and enhancing relationships with others for persons with AD. Music therapy is defined as including singing, movement or exercise, playing, listening, improvising, composing, and engaging in discussion /trivia. Findings suggest that MT can be used to help people transition from independent living to nursing home life. In particular, for the depressed and reclusive resident studied, MT helped to encourage active participation in the numerous social and recreational opportunities available. Although it states that MT is “evaluated regularly and changes are made as needed” there is no discussion regarding whom and when these evaluations/changes are implemented. It was also found that MT helped make staff members’ jobs more enjoyable while working with this resident.

Lipe, A.W. (1991). Using music therapy to enhance the quality of life in a client with Alzheimer's dementia: A case study. Music Therapy Perspectives, 9, 102-105.
This article examines how to use MT to enhance QoL of PWAD. This case study approach suggests that MT increases QoL for the one individual studied.

Lou, M.F. (2001). The use of music to decrease agitated behaviour of the demented elderly: the state of the science. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 15, 165-173.
This article looks at the existing literature exploring the role of music in reducing agitation in seniors with dementia. The main recommendation is that further development of more stringent methodology in terms of validity and reliability of measures and experimental design with larger sample size is needed to overcome the significant methodological limitations present in the vast majority of empirical studies to date.

Mavely, R. & Mitchell, G.J. (1994). Consider Karaoke. Canadian Nurse, 22-24.
This article looks at the use of music therapies as activities. It describes the use of a Karaoke machine to stimulate responses from PWD. The authors report remarkable successes, but there is no concrete measurement or documentation of such outcomes.

McCloskey, L.J. (1990). The silent heart sings. Generations, winter, 63-65.
This article looks at the impact of music therapies, namely music, reminiscence and life review, on seniors. The program, named Reprise, reports the effect of unlocking a person’s memories.

Millard, K. & Smith, J. (1989). The influence of group singing therapy on the behaviour of Alzheimer's disease patients. Journal of Music Therapy, 26(2), 58-70.
This article looks at the impact of group singing on the reality orientation of seniors with AD. Findings suggest that MT can reorient participants, at least temporarily, during the group singing exercises. This reorientation was achieved by including information about day, time, and season in the selected music, and encouraging interaction with other group members during the music program.

Miller, B.L.; Boone, K.; Cummings, J.L.; Read, S.L.; & Mishkin, F. (2000). Functional correlates of musical and visual ability in frontotemporal dementia. British Journal of Psychiatry, 176, 458-463.
This article uses a case study approach to explore how loss of function in one brain area can release new functions elsewhere. The patients acquired, or sustained, new musical/visual abilities despite progression of dementia. Authors argue that certain regions of loss may lead to facilitation of artistic or musical skills (p 458).

Norberg, A.; Melin, E. & Asplund, K. (2003). Reactions to music, touch and object presentation in the final stage of dementia: an exploratory study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 40, 473-479.
This exploratory study looked at the reactions of 2 individuals in the final stage of AD who were stimulated with music, touch and object presentation. Based on direct observations, video and pulse/respiration rates for 12 consecutive days, both subjects reacted differently. Conclusions include that persons in the final stage of dementia can be made contact with at least by means of music and can exhibit reactions, which can be evaluated without any technically complicated apparatus.

O’Callaghan, C. & McDermott, F. (2004). Music therapy’s relevance in a cancer hospital researched through a constructivist lens. Journal of Music Therapy, 41(2), 151-185.
This article looks at the use of MT with cancer patients. The authors find that “aliveness” is a key factor of the subjective experiences of patients emerging from the data.

Olderog-Millard, K.A. & Smith, J.M. (1989). The influence of group singing therapy on the behavior of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Journal of Music Therapy, 26, 58-70.
This article discusses the effect of group singing therapy on agitation and depression in 10 persons with AD. The authors report a significant change in behavior after treatment sessions. There was not a control group and how change was measured or which behaviors were of interest to the study are not given.

Perrin, T. (1998). Lifted into a world of rhythm and melody. Journal of Dementia Care, 6, 20-24.
This article looks at the impact of music therapies on the mood and experiences of seniors with various dementias using dementia care mapping (DCM) to measure the effects of various Jabadao sessions. The author highlights that the element of personal interaction is essential.

Pollack, N. & Namazi, K. (1992). The effect of music participation on the social behaviour of Alzheimer's disease patients. Journal of Music Therapy, 29(1), 54-67.
This article explores the effect of MT participation on the social behavior of PWAD. It suggests that MT can enhance socialization and improve social skills. Findings report increased social behaviors, namely interaction, of PWAD after MT sessions as well as a decrease in nonsocial behaviors, which could lead to social isolation. Some subjects even assumed leadership roles in the MT sessions.

Prickett, C.A. & Moore, R.S. (1991). The use of music to aid memory of Alzheimer's patients. Journal of Music Therapy, 28(2), 101-110.
This article looks at the use of music to assist the memory recall of PWAD. When comparing recall of familiar and new song material, findings report “dramatically better” recall of once familiar material. Therefore, MT can help participants access their memory (of the words to specific songs, for example).

Sambandham, M. & Schirm, V. (1995). Music as a nursing intervention for residents with Alzheimer's disease in long-term care. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 16(2), 79-83.
This article looks at the impact of music therapy in promoting relaxation and relieving anxiety (i.e., reducing agitated behavior) in nursing home residents with AD. Findings suggest that when music is played, residents showed a decrease in verbalization and unrelated interactions, indicating that they were focused, but an increase in interactions with each others when the music stopped. Residents with the most severe cognitive impairment exhibited the most improvement in memory and reminiscence abilities. Socially acceptable behavior and signs of mental stimulation were also observed after MT sessions. The focus is on making PWAD more “manageable” for nursing home staff.

Sherratt, K; Thornton, A.; & Hatton, C. (2004a). Music Interventions for people with dementia: A Review of the Literature. Aging and Mental Health, 8(1), 3-12.
21 articles were reviewed and analyzed in terms of their findings, method, and use of theory. The authors argue for Kitwood’s personhood theory to guide future research. This review includes articles not just relating to problem behaviors like agitation (although 16/21 seem to focus on this, see table on page 5), but also those of engagement and participation (5/21).

Sherratt, K; Thornton, A.; & Hatton, C. (2004b). Emotional and behavioral responses to music in people with dementia: an observational study. Aging and Mental Health, 8(3), 233-241.
Using Kitwood’s theory of personhood as a framework, this study hypothesized that levels of well-being (WB) and engagement would be greatest during a live music condition compared with recorded and no music conditions, and that “challenging behaviors” would decrease. The findings suggest live music is more effective in increasing WB and engagement regardless of level of cognitive impairment.

Smith-Marchese, M. (1994). The effects of participatory music on the reality orientation and sociability of Alzheimer's residents in a long-term care setting. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 18(2), 41-55.
This article looks at the impact of group singing on the reality orientation of seniors with AD. Findings suggest that MT can reorient participants, at least temporarily, during the group singing exercises. This reorientation was achieved by including information about day, time, and season in the selected music, and encouraging interaction with other group members during the music program. MT was also found to encourage and increase socialization of PWD, including increased eye contact, facial expression, and body language.

Smith, G.H. (1986). A comparison of the effects of three treatment interventions on cognitive functioning of Alzheimer patients. Music Therapy, 6A(1), 41-56.
This article compares the impact of three music interventions on the cognitive performance of PWAD. It suggests that MT is a form of cognitive stimulation that can enhance cognitive functioning.

Spendlove, C. (1997). In tune with clients. Nursing Times, 93(50), 58-59.
This article looks at the impact of music therapies on the mood and affect of participants. The author, a musician and mental health nurse, improvises using his voice for and with people with special needs, including dementia.

Sung, H-c.; Chang, S-m.; Lee, W-l. & Lee, M-s. (2006). The effects of group music with movement intervention on agitated behaviours of institutionalized elders with dementia in Taiwan. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 14, 113-119.
This study notes that agitated behaviors are identified by caregivers as the most challenging in dementia care. These behaviors were significantly reduced in an experimental group following 4 weeks of group music with movement intervention, compared to the control group. Group music (featuring Taiwanese folk songs with pleasant rhythm and tempo) with movement intervention (designed to move the body and extremities) was administered for 30 minutes in the afternoons 2 times a week over a 4 week period (8 sessions total) to 18 subjects in a long-term care facility (18 in the control group) by a nursing researcher and two research assistants trained in music intervention. CMAI was used to measure the occurrence of agitated behaviors. The authors concluded that intervention should be a part of the daily care routine to improve QOL with PWD.

Sung, H-c. & Chang, A. (2005). Use of preferred music to decrease agitated behaviors in older people with dementia: a review of the literature. Journal of Clinical Nursing,14(1), 1133-1140.
8 articles 1993-2005 were reviewed on the topic of decreasing/managing agitated behaviors in older PWD; four from nursing professionals, one by a mental health professional, one by a music therapist, one by a recreational professional, and one by an occupational therapist. The main findings were: 7 reported significant improvement in agitation, only 2 found significant changes in agitated behaviors both during and following music sessions, and one found no decrease, but significantly improved relaxation.

Svandottir, H.B. & Snaedal, J. (2006). Music therapy in moderate and severe dementia of Alzheimer’s type: a case-control study. International Psychogeriatrics, 18, 4, 613-621.
38 subjects with moderate to severe AD were assigned randomly to a music therapy and control group carried out by qualified music therapists in 2 nursing homes and 2 psychogeriatric wards. Stated results indicated a significant reduction in activity disturbances, or symptoms, in the music therapy group over 3 sessions a week for 6 weeks. These symptoms were measured with a BEHAVE-AD instrument that rates paranoid and delusional ideation, hallucination, activity disturbance, aggressiveness, diurnal rhythm disturbance, affective disturbance, anxieties and phobias. The study also recorded a sign reduction in activity disturbances (anxiety, aggressiveness). But four weeks later the effects had mostly disappeared.

Tabloski, P.; McKinnin-Howe L. & Remington, R. (1995). Effects of calming music on the level of agitation in cognitively impaired nursing home residents. American Journal of Alzheimer's Care and Related Disorders & Research, 10(1), 10-15.
This article looks at the impact of calming music on promoting relaxation and relieving anxiety (i.e., reducing agitated and aggressive behaviors) in nursing home residents with AD. Findings report reduced agitation and more socially acceptable behaviors in residents with cognitive impairment, both during and after the MT intervention. The focus is on making PWAD more “manageable” for nursing home staff.

Van de Winckel, A.; Feys, H. & De Weerdt, W. (2004). Cognitive and behavioral effects of music-based exercises in patients with dementia. Clinical Rehabilitation, 18, 253-260.
This article explores the cognitive and behavioral effects of exercises set to music on persons with dementia. It finds increased MMSE scores but no effect on behavior. The effects of 6-week music-based group exercises were not significant on behavioral changes of persons with moderate to severe dementia although there was a significant improvement on their cognitive function.

Walker, O. (1996). Music vibrates in the memory. Journal of Dementia Care, 4(1), 16-17.
This article explores the use of MT in stimulating the memory of persons with dementia. It argues that music sparks memories and is enjoyable for participants.

York, E. (1994). The development of a quantitative music skills test for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease. Journal of Music Therapy, 31(4), 280-296.
This article discusses the development of a quantitative test, The Residual Music Skills Test, to measure the “music behaviours” of PWAD. The instrument does not appear to have been utilized or reported on since.

Zeisel, J. & Raia, P. (2000). Nonpharmacological treatment for Alzheimer's disease: A mind-brain approach. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, 15(6), 331-340.
This article looks at the use of non-pharmacological treatments of AD, such as various art therapies, that can produce behavioral improvements.

The Research, Our Questions, Comments on Results

At the end of January 2007 I posed several questions for fellow travelers I'm in contact with by email. Twenty five responded and almost all gave multiple responses, which added up to eighteen pages of ten font single spaced data.

The questions were about how persons manage their challenges and what they do to enrich their lives. The results show clearly that our fellow travelers are quite eloquent on these issues.

This led to commissioning a thorough review of existing studies of life enriching activities. Results of this literature review turned out to be more important than we had imagined and will be published in proper research style.

This research was done in proper scholarly style so that we could look at unbiased results for answers to three questions:

1 What do we know about means for enriching lives of persons having memory blues?

2 Can these means be helpful to these persons living at home?

3 Can information technologies be used to help implement these means for these persons living at home?

Here I and others will comment on what these research results tell us about our three questions.

The alphabetical list of references is posted. As I post annotated results in six categories, I and others will post more comments. Comments are welcome from anyone reading this blog.

The six categories for annotated results are:
1 - Music
2 - Visual Arts
3 - Drama
4 - Dance & Movement
5 - Mixed & Miscellaneous
6 - Other Activities

We learned very little about the second and third of our questions above. About the first question we learned that what we know is mainly suggestive.

Our review thus turns to identification of improvements needed to answer our questions and address issues giving rise to our questions.

Key empirical improvements needed are:

1 more adequate specifications of study design, more adequate specifications of activities, and more adequate specifications of methods;

2 more adequate measurement tools;

3 more adequate use of life enrichment measures rather than clinical outcomes; and

5 more adequate systematic analysis of data.

Key substantive improvements needed are:

1 more direct testimony by persons living with challenges;

2 more focus on life enriching values of process rather than than clinical outcome products;

3 more inclusion of persons with early stage challenges; and

4 more attention to persons living at home (most studies are in skilled care facilities).

When the literature review is published it will include a major section on designing studies which can better answer our questions and a major section on designing studies so that the results are more reliable for addressing issues giving rise to our questions.

References in Alphabetical Order

These are the references reviewed in our literature search in alphabetical order. We'll also post them in category order with annotations.

The categories will be:
1 - Music
2 - Visual Arts
3 - Drama
4 - Dance & Movement
5 - Mixed & Miscellaneous
6 - Other Activities

The search found 236 articles of which 183 were deemed relevant. Details of the search, findings, conclusions, etc. will be posted separately.

Aldridge, D. (2003). Music therapy references relating to cancer and palliative care. British Journal of Music Therapy, 17(1), 17-25.

Aldridge, D. (2000). Music Therapy in Dementia Care. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

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