Music Lifts Mood For Dementia Patients

This Cochrane Review looked at how music-based therapies affect people with dementia. A Cochrane Review is a type of scientific study that reviews clinical trials and publishes the findings in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

This review included 30 studies involving over 1,700 people with various stages of dementia, mostly living in care homes. Music-based therapies in the review included both active participation (like singing or playing instruments) and listening activities. The outcomes of participants involved in music therapies were compared to either usual care (such as regular daily activities) or other non-music-based interventions like group socialization.

Compared to usual care, music-based interventions probably reduce depression slightly and may improve general behavioral issues like restlessness or irritability. However, the evidence shows they probably do not help much with agitation, emotional well-being, anxiety, social interaction, or thinking skills. When music therapy was compared to other activities not involving music, the only clear benefit was a possible improvement in social behavior. Other outcomes—like mood, behavior, and memory—did not show much change. Also, any positive effects seem to fade after the sessions stop. Importantly, no serious side effects from music-based therapies were reported, though the reporting on safety was not consistent.

Overall, the evidence suggests music can play a helpful role, especially in lifting mood during therapy sessions. Music therapy may be useful as part of a broader care approach that supports emotional and social well-being in people with dementia.