Using music to improve mental health in people with dementia

This chapter reviews prior studies on the use of music therapy and music interventions that do not involve a trained music therapist to manage the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, including depression, stress, and anxiety. Here, we show that music therapy is not a monolithic term, as it involves different practices, such as listening to music, playing different musical instruments, and songwriting, among others. Music programs can also be effectively utilized outside of formal music therapy contexts where standardized protocols are followed. Some of these music practices involve social processes (e.g., composing or playing music with others), which are beneficial for mental health. Our review suggests that music can be effective depending on individual characteristics of people with dementia, type of music, severity of dementia symptoms, and social aspects of music intervention used (e.g., singing in a group). However, further research is needed in order to explore how music and music therapy can become further embedded in models of care for people with dementia.