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Music therapy for people with dementia
A C Vink1, J S Birks, M S Bruinsma
1Saxion Hogeschool, Conservatory, Music Therapy Dept., PO Box 70.000, Enschede, Netherlands, NL-7500 KB.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 22, 2004
Summary
This review examined music therapy for dementia, finding the evidence base too poor to draw conclusions. More high-quality research is needed on non-pharmacological dementia treatments.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Dementia is a syndrome of cognitive decline with limited pharmacological treatments.
- Non-pharmacological interventions for dementia remain under-researched.
- Music therapy is explored as a potential non-pharmacological treatment for dementia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy for behavioral, social, cognitive, and emotional issues in older adults with dementia.
Main Methods:
- Searched the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group (CDCIG) Specialised Register and other databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to June 2003.
- Included RCTs reporting clinically relevant outcomes for music therapy in dementia patients.
- Assessed study quality and extracted data independently by two reviewers.
Main Results:
- Five studies met the inclusion criteria.
- The overall methodological quality of the included studies was poor.
- Results could not be validated or pooled due to study limitations.
Conclusions:
- The methodological quality and reporting of the included studies were insufficient.
- No useful conclusions could be drawn regarding the efficacy of music therapy for dementia.
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