The effect of music on reducing Alzheimer's disease symptoms

¶ … music has on Alzheimer's disease. The writer explores the reduction of Alzheimer's symptoms that have been shown with the use of music therapy and explores future use of the therapy. There were six sources used to complete this paper.

In recent years medical science has made advances that have provided a longer lifespan than ever before, however, with that lifespan increase comes a higher incidence of Alzheimer's disease. While Alzheimer's disease can strike at any age it is typically seen in the elderly and the symptoms can be devastating. People watch their parents lose their memories, forget who they are and become a danger to themselves with their forgetful actions.

Many avenues have been explored in the effort to slow the symptoms of the disease thereby providing the person with a better quality of life as they enjoy their golden years. One method that has shown some significant success has been the use of music therapy. While the medical science of music therapy for Alzheimer's is in its relative infancy, anecdotal stories have circulated for years (Tapping, 2005).

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame percussionist Mickey Hart remembered that his grandmother loved watching him perform as a drummer with the Grateful Dead. So when she was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, Hart decided to give her a "private concert" -- in his Porsche on the back roads of California. After he tapped his drums for about 15 minutes, the elderly woman, who had not spoken for more than six months, looked at him and said, "Mickey (Tapping, 2005)." study conducted in 2000 concluded that music therapy has a scientific base for succeeding in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The use of music raised melatonin levels in the brains of 20 Alzheimer's patients. In addition the patients showed significantly improved behavior and measurably reduced sleeping problems during the study.

The study used music therapy on the patients five days a week for 30-40 minutes each day. The study was conducted over a one month period. Blood samples were collected before during and following the study to determine what if any impact the music was having on the physiological make up of the study participants (Klotter, 2001 (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_2001_April/ai_72297149).

Dr. Ardash Kumar and colleagues at the University of Miami School of Medicine (Florida), who reported the study in Alternative Therapies, checked the levels of melatonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin, and prolactin. These brain chemicals are known to affect mental state. They found that melatonin, epinephrine and norepinephrine blood levels had risen significantly by the end of the 4-week therapy program. Moreover, melatonin levels remained high 6 weeks after the program had stopped (Klotter, 2001 (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_2001_April/ai_72297149)."

The researchers believe that the music also helps to relax the patients and that relaxing is conducive to self healing and strength building.

The research study concluded that music therapy may be one alternative method to strong medications in the treatment of Alzheimer's symptoms.

All of the participants were male (Klotter, 2001 (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_2001_April/ai_72297149).Further studies should be conducted to determine if the results can be replicated and if the same results will be found in females.

Music therapy is one intervention that has been proven to help some patients with this dreaded disease. The decline in language skills is most prevalent in these clients when asked to match a name with a face. Research involving the spaced retrieval technique has been beneficial when combined with singing, rhythmic playing and movement.1 Other cognitive interventions, such as rehearsal and mneumanic devices, have not proven to be effective in improving this deficit. Music selected from a time period when the clients were young adults were proven to be successful (Vail, 2000)."

Training for music therapy is typically founded in the behavior modification goal for the client. Therapists are taught to take the lead of the client. If a client is in the first or second stages of the disease they are often more able to participate. However, even in the third stages the client may benefit from the therapy though will often be more passive in that participation (Vail, 2000).

Experts in the field believe there is an added benefit to music therapy in Alzheimer's clients. In addition to the scientific brain changes that have been documented, experts believe music also helps to trigger happy memories for client's who otherwise may not have the ability to retrieve them (Play a Song, or Sing Along, for Alzheimer's (http://www.alzinfo.org/news/NewsArticle2-9-2006-11-55-AM.aspx).

Remembering past events is a strength building exercise for the brain and one that often has a positive impact on Alzheimer's patients (Play a Song, or Sing Along, for Alzheimer's (http://www.alzinfo.org/news/NewsArticle2-9-2006-11-55-AM.aspx).

The research has also shown that the area of the brain that stores musical abilities is usually not impacted by Alzheimer's. This explains how clients with Alzheimer's disease are able to participate in music therapy.

Music therapy has not been shown to be a comprehensive therapy or treatment for the disease, but rather should be used as a supplement to other therapies and medical interventions to it.

A familiar song might stir emotions which can prove to be soothing for an agitated patient. It can also encourage social interaction on the part of the patients in nursing homes.