Music is powerful! This can be seen dramatically in individuals who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. There have been convincing studies that show amazing outcomes for these patients, even in the late stages of the disease. Studies demonstrate that music can change moods, reduce agitation, stimulate positive interactions, and increase cognitive function and motor movements. Music therapy can slow the regression of speech and language skills, along with preserving the processing and emotional parts of the brain.
Music memories leave deep footprints on the brain. Music does not reside in just one section of the brain. Music engages parts of the brain used when paying attention or updating events and helps the brain organize …show more content…
Notice the multiple areas where music resides is wide and overlapping. (Photo from Hartzler)
MRI’s also show that listening to music awakens the auditory areas of the brain and large-scale neural networks. “Musical aptitude and music appreciation are two of the last remaining abilities in patients with Alzheimer’s. Because these two abilities remain long after other abilities have passed, music is an excellent way to reach beyond the disease and reach the person.” (Maguire)
Take an example from the documentary called, “Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory.” We look at the story of Henry Dryer. At the time of the filming, Henry was 94 years old. He had suffered from dementia for over ten years. He barely said a word to anyone. He was very unresponsive, almost unalive and spent his day hunched over in a wheelchair. According to NYU School of Medicine neurologist, Dr. Oliver Sacks, MD, after Henry listened to an iPod containing some of his favorite Cab Calloway music he immediately lit up. He began to sing and move his arms to the beat. His eyes opened up wide, and there is an expression of joy on his face. When the music stopped, the positive effects were still seen as documented here by a part of a conversation between interviewer, Dan Cohen, MSW, and …show more content…
The ability to carry on a conversation was something Henry has not done in years. These changes are not unique to Henry. It has happened to many other patients, and not all were Alzheimer’s or dementia patients. Patients confined to wheelchairs or required the use of a walker got up singing and some even danced. The music had transformed these different people with different illnesses and afflictions into someone their family and friends recognized once again.
Most people enjoy listening or making music. But does music have the power to change the mind? Yes, says Kimmo Lehtonen, Ph.D., professor of education at the University of Turku (Finland). Lehtonen has been a music therapist for over 25 years, and he has seen the power of music move and change the mind. Dr. Lehtonen uses music therapy to promote memories and create a sense of self in older dementia patients. (Schaeffer).
While music therapy benefits people of varying ages, Lehtonen feels the benefits to older people with Alzheimer’s dementia is far greater because it gives them a way to communicate. “Music therapy has many faces,” says Lehtonen. “With older adults, I mainly use old wartime songs, which seem to bring many lively memories to their minds. Music can function as an interpreter.”
Music memories leave deep footprints on the brain. Music does not reside in just one section of the brain. Music engages parts of the brain used when paying attention or updating events and helps the brain organize …show more content…
Notice the multiple areas where music resides is wide and overlapping. (Photo from Hartzler)
MRI’s also show that listening to music awakens the auditory areas of the brain and large-scale neural networks. “Musical aptitude and music appreciation are two of the last remaining abilities in patients with Alzheimer’s. Because these two abilities remain long after other abilities have passed, music is an excellent way to reach beyond the disease and reach the person.” (Maguire)
Take an example from the documentary called, “Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory.” We look at the story of Henry Dryer. At the time of the filming, Henry was 94 years old. He had suffered from dementia for over ten years. He barely said a word to anyone. He was very unresponsive, almost unalive and spent his day hunched over in a wheelchair. According to NYU School of Medicine neurologist, Dr. Oliver Sacks, MD, after Henry listened to an iPod containing some of his favorite Cab Calloway music he immediately lit up. He began to sing and move his arms to the beat. His eyes opened up wide, and there is an expression of joy on his face. When the music stopped, the positive effects were still seen as documented here by a part of a conversation between interviewer, Dan Cohen, MSW, and …show more content…
The ability to carry on a conversation was something Henry has not done in years. These changes are not unique to Henry. It has happened to many other patients, and not all were Alzheimer’s or dementia patients. Patients confined to wheelchairs or required the use of a walker got up singing and some even danced. The music had transformed these different people with different illnesses and afflictions into someone their family and friends recognized once again.
Most people enjoy listening or making music. But does music have the power to change the mind? Yes, says Kimmo Lehtonen, Ph.D., professor of education at the University of Turku (Finland). Lehtonen has been a music therapist for over 25 years, and he has seen the power of music move and change the mind. Dr. Lehtonen uses music therapy to promote memories and create a sense of self in older dementia patients. (Schaeffer).
While music therapy benefits people of varying ages, Lehtonen feels the benefits to older people with Alzheimer’s dementia is far greater because it gives them a way to communicate. “Music therapy has many faces,” says Lehtonen. “With older adults, I mainly use old wartime songs, which seem to bring many lively memories to their minds. Music can function as an interpreter.”