Music Found to Bridge Divide Caused by Dementia

September 28, 2022 by Dan McCue
Music Found to Bridge Divide Caused by Dementia
In the intervention, called “Musical Bridges to Memory,” a live ensemble plays music from a patient’s youth such as songs from the musicals “Oklahoma” or “The Sound of Music.” (Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash)

CHICAGO — Exposure to music from a dementia patient’s youth can create an emotional connection between patient and caregiver, according to a new study.

The findings suggest music can act as a bridge to interaction between caregivers and loved ones and people stricken with dementia, who often lose their ability to communicate verbally in the later stages of the disease.

The study, conducted by Northwestern School of Medicine researchers in collaboration with the Institute for Therapy through the Arts, looked specifically at an intervention developed by the institute called “Musical Bridges to Memory.”

What the researchers found was that as a live ensemble played music from a patient’s youth — the main activity in the intervention — patients and caregivers could interact via singing, dancing and playing along with simple instruments.

They also found the intervention enhanced patients’ social engagement and reduced neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation, anxiety and depression in both patients and caregivers.

“Patients were able to connect with partners through music, a connection that was not available to them verbally,” said lead study author Dr. Borna Bonakdarpour in a written statement.

Bonakdarpour, an associate professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine neurologist, went on to note that family and friends of people with dementia are also affected by the disease. 

“It’s painful for them when they can’t connect with a loved one. When language is no longer possible, music gives them a bridge to each other,” he said.

The researchers’ conclusions were published in Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders

Their findings are considered especially significant as most prior studies using music for dementia patients have focused exclusively on the patients.

More than 6 million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s disease. 

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and at https://twitter.com/DanMcCue.

A+
a-
  • intervention
  • music
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Mental Health

    March 26, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    White House Holds Roundtable on Black Men’s Mental Health

    WASHINGTON — The White House Office of Public Engagement last week convened a roundtable on the administration’s efforts to support... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The White House Office of Public Engagement last week convened a roundtable on the administration’s efforts to support Black men’s mental health. The event was moderated by Charisse Jones of USA Today, and featured actors Courtney B. Vance and Lamman Rucker; recording artist Raheem... Read More

    March 26, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    NYC to Invest $8M in ‘Substance Use’ Clinic for Pregnant and Postpartum Women

    NEW YORK — The city of New York announced Tuesday that it is investing $8 million in a new health... Read More

    NEW YORK — The city of New York announced Tuesday that it is investing $8 million in a new health and substance use disorder clinic specifically to provide care to pregnant and postpartum women and their families. Mayor Eric Adams and officials from NYC Health +... Read More

    March 25, 2024
    by Jesse Zucker
    What Happens During Burnout and How to Cope

    WASHINGTON — Many of us, from time to time, may feel a little “burned out.” Spreading ourselves too thin with... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Many of us, from time to time, may feel a little “burned out.” Spreading ourselves too thin with work, family, relationships, health and other obligations can take its toll. The term burnout is technically a psychological condition related to the workplace. Since COVID-19 began,... Read More

    March 13, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    Researchers Identify Brain Connections Associated with ADHD

    WASHINGTON — After examining more than 8,000 functional brain images of young people with ADHD, researchers have discovered their systems... Read More

    WASHINGTON — After examining more than 8,000 functional brain images of young people with ADHD, researchers have discovered their systems are tied to atypical interactions between the brain’s frontal cortex and the information processing centers deep inside the brain. The research into attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder was conducted... Read More

    March 12, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    Report Underscores Impact of Pets on Sense of Community, Well-Being

    WASHINGTON — Nine in 10 pet owners say their pets contribute to their having a stronger sense of community, while... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Nine in 10 pet owners say their pets contribute to their having a stronger sense of community, while 83% of adults say they’ve interacted with people they otherwise would not have due to their pets, according to a new survey. The study by Mars... Read More

    How Springing Forward to Daylight Saving Time Could Affect Your Health — and How to Prepare

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Most of America “springs forward” Sunday for daylight saving time and losing that hour of sleep can do more... Read More

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Most of America “springs forward” Sunday for daylight saving time and losing that hour of sleep can do more than leave you tired and cranky the next day. It also could harm your health. Darker mornings and more evening light together knock your body clock... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top