Is Music Therapy a game changer for patients with Dementia?

I remember I was working with this patient of mine, who was diagnosed with Dementia sometime ago, which we will address him as Alex for privacy purposes. Alex has been in the nursing home for the past few years, and his memory, speech, motor skills and social skills have been deteriorating progressively. He wouldn’t engage much during group sessions, nor will he engage much in a conversation with you if you were to start one with him. He lived an active life during his younger days, and to say it was heartbreaking for his children to witness his deterioration is an understatement.

However, Alex has a great passion for music. And this was a game changer.

A breakthrough- through music?

After learning about Alex’s passion for music and his favorite songs, I intentionally included one of his all- time favorite songs, “Bei Mir Bist Du Shein” during my first group music therapy session with him in the nursing home. Alex had low engagement level during the session, occasionally opened his eyes when prompted, but overall would not engage much.

When I started singing his favorite song, he opened his eyes almost immediately with such excitement. Slowly, he began to break a smile which was a rare sight to see. Then, he started singing along and tapping his feet along with the music. To our surprise, he was able to recite word for word to the song without any promptings at all! All the caregivers, nurses and doctors were shocked to witness this sight as they have never seen this side of him before.

I guess it was safe to say that this was a breakthrough for Alex. Music was able to bring him back to a place where he could “feel” like himself again.

Why does this work?

Beir Mir Bist Du Shein was one of Alex’s favorite songs during his young adult years. It was suggested that the music you listen to during your young adult years would leave you a strong impact in life. (Neoroscience News, 2021) With that being said, we were able to utilize Alex’s preferred song to use it for his benefit in a clinically way.

Music has the power and ability to stimulate a person’s brain, in which will evoke certain memories and emotions, which brings him/ her back to the time where they were listening to that particular song. Alex was one of the many patients where I have witnessed how music was able to empower and evoke patients with dementia with skills and memories they thought they have once lost, but it was able to be brought back through the power of music.

What is Music Therapy?

According to MMTA (Malaysian Music Therapy Association), music therapy for aged care is a supportive and friendly approach to enhance the quality of life for the elderly who are experiencing deterioration with their physical and mental health. Music therapy differs from music entertainment as its emphasis is on using music for individualized goals such as emotional, social interaction, communication, physical and mental support rather than just providing pure enjoyment to them. Therapeutic interventions include instrument playing (musical background is not required), singing, movement and interaction, music assisted relaxation, social communication and so on.

How can Music Therapy benefit patients with Dementia?

  • Improve quality of life

  • Increase relaxation, decrease frustration, agitation and anxiety

  • Enhance memory

  • Promote motor skills

  • Improve social interactions and communication skills

  • Enhance self-motivation and self-esteem

In addition, music therapy also provides emotional and mental support to the caregiver, improve social interaction between the caregiver and the patient.

All in all, music therapy creates a safe space and opportunity for patients to dive into a session full of possibilities. And for some, Like Alex, it may bring hope and comfort to the patient themselves, as well as for their families- to see that hope is still alive when things seem impossible.

If you know of someone who may be interested to experience music therapy, reach out to us to schedule a session!

References:

Neuroscience News. (2021, February 14). Why We’re Obsessed With Music From Our Youth. https://neurosciencenews.com/music-youth-17765/

About Life Tunes Music Therapy:

Life Tunes Music Therapy was founded in 2020 by Ivy Tan, MT-BC (board certified- music therapist) with a mission to empower individuals in thriving in both physical and emotional well-being. Currently based in Johor Bahru, Life Tunes Music Therapy provides music therapy services online and in-person (Johor Bahru area only). With the motto of “Changing lives one tune at a time”, we believe in the power of change that comes with the healing power of music.