Individualized Music Therapy

When researchers followed up on the different types of music that could be used, they discovered many different situations in which music could be implemented. For instance, research has proved that live music is more effective than recorded music, mainly because the experience is more tangible, and the patient can interact with the musician and the instruments (Vasionyte 5). In one study, researchers discovered that different types of music had profoundly different effects on patients, saying: “In receptive therapies, classical or relaxation music is used most often to soothe demented patients. Native or popular [pop] music is usually used to arouse and enhance memories” (Vasionyte 6). The different situations and uses for music therapy show …show more content…
In one study, performed by the Stanford Geriatric Education Center, thirty nine patients (thirty women, nine men) were studied for three weeks (Gerdner 2), comparing a control group, and a group that received music based therapy. To test the music therapy based group, music was played for a period for thirty minutes, at the most stressful part of a patient's day (Gerdner 4). The two groups showed a significant difference in anxious behavior, with the music therapy group behaving much more calmly (Gerdner 4). At the conclusion of the study, researchers interviewed the families of the patients, who recalled that, “staff and family reported that individualized music provided a catalyst for meaningful interaction between the person with dementia and others” (Gerdner 5). As shown in this study, a relatively simple format of music based therapy can be used to help dementia patients in an easy, cost-effective …show more content…
Family visitors are usually highly recommended for effective treatment, as along as they visit in a controlled manner. A family member can help when a patient is having difficulty using the music equipment (Awakening Alzheimer’s 4), which understandably happens often. Also, visitors should feel free to join in on any music (as long as the treatment is not occurring in a controlled study), as it can help the patient feel more comfortable (Awakening Alzheimer’s 4). Nurses and caregivers are also finding that music therapy is most useful when in moments of transition, like from lunch to the bedroom, or from the bath back to the room (Awakening Alzheimer’s 4). Like most other geriatric patients in a facility, dementia patients greatly enjoy visitor company, this can be used in tandem with music therapy as part of a treatment for