MUSIC AND DEMENTIAS - A REVIEW OF LITERATURE

This paper represents an extensive review of literature published in t he area of music/music therapy and dementias from 1985/1996. Research outcomes were categorized, coded, and summarized in order to outline r ecommendations that may be used in clinical practice as well as in fut ure research. The decision to set 1985 as the earliest publication dat e for consideration was based on the fact that all studies identified as using music/music therapy for people with dementias were published after 1985. Literature used in this analysis included articles publish ed in refereed journals, written in English, which addressed the use o f music/music therapy with individuals having dementia either as a bas is for an experimental study eras the main topic of a published report . A total of 69 references were identified. Of these, 42 were empirica l studies, including 30 clinical empirical reports (experimental, desc riptive, or case studies) using music as a therapeutic intervention (i ndependent variable). The clinical empirical research studies were cat egorized according to the functional areas (dependent variable) addres sed: (a) participation/preferences for music activities (n = 11), (b) social/emotional skills (n = 7), (c) cognitive skills (n = 2), and (d) behavior management (n = 10). The remaining 12 empirical studies were either in the area of assessment or music cognition from a neuropsych ological perspective. Narrative case studies and anecdotal accounts of music in therapy or articles describing nonmusic objectives taught th rough music numbered 8. Theoretical/philosophical papers describing an d recommending music techniques as an alternative treatment for a vari ety of therapeutic objectives totaled 19. Results of the studies analy zed show that, in general, music/music therapy is an effective interve ntion to maintain and improve active involvement, social, emotional an d cognitive skills, and to decrease behavior problems of individuals w ith dementias. Suggestions for clinical practice and future research e ndeavors are discussed.