Music and Dementia - From Cognition to Therapy

Dementia is the most significant health issue facing our aging population. With no cure to date, there is an urgent need for the development of interventions that can alleviate symptoms of dementia and ensure optimal well-being for people with dementia and their caregivers. There is accumulating evidence that music is a highly effective, non-pharmacological treatment for various symptoms of dementia at all stages of disease progression. In its various forms, music (as a medium for formal therapy or an informal activity) engages widespread brain regions, and in doing so, can promote numerous benefits, including triggering memories, enhancing relationships, affirming a sense of self, facilitating communication, reducing agitation, and alleviating depression and anxiety. This book outlines the current research and understanding of the use of music for people with dementia, from internationally renowned experts in music therapy, music psychology, and clinical neuropsychology.

Table of Contents

Preface - Amee Baird, Sandra Garrido & Jeanette Tamplin
Part I: Why music for people with dementia?
1. Amy Clements-Cortes: Understanding the continuum of musical experiences for persons with dementia
2. Matthieu Ghilain, Loris Schiaratura, Micheline Lesaffre & Severine Samson: Is music special for people with dementia?
3. Olivia Brancastisano & William F. Thompson: Seven capacities of music that underpin its therapeutic value in dementia care
Part II: Impact of music on cognition and emotion in people with dementia
4. Ashley Vanstone & Lola Cuddy: Melody, memory, and engagement in Alzheimer's disease
5. Rohani Omar: Music cognition in frontotemporal dementia and non-Alzheimer's dementias
6. Teppo Sarkamo: Musical leisure activities to support cognitive and emotional functioning in aging and dementia: A review of current evidence
7. Sandra Garrido: Musical playlists for addressing depression in people with dementia
8. Amee Baird & William F. Thompson: Preserved musical instrument playing in dementia: a unique form of access to memory and self
Part III: Music Therapy in dementia care
9. Becky Dowson & Orii McDermott: Approaches to measuring the impact of music therapy and music activities on people with dementia
10. Anne Lipe & Molly Edmonston: Music and music therapy interventions for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: An umbrella review and recommendations for best practice
11. Hanne Mette Ridder & Julie Ørnholt Bøtker: Music therapy and skills sharing to meet psychosocial needs for people with advanced dementia
12. Melissa Mercadel-Brotons: Music interventions for advanced dementia: Needs and clinical interventions identified from a narrative synthesis systematic review
13. Jeanette Tamplin & Imogen N Clark: Therapeutic music interventions to support people with dementia living at home with their family caregivers
Future directions - Amee Baird, Sandra Garrido & Jeanette Tamplin