Music therapy is a potential intervention for cognition of Alzheimer's Disease: a mini-review.

Author: Fang R1, Ye S2, Huangfu J3, Calimag DP1
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Medicine, Section of Neurology, Saint Anthony Hospital, 2875 West 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60623 USA. <sup>2</sup>Intent Inc., Ningbo, Zhejiang 315000 China. <sup>3</sup>0000 0004 1759 700Xgrid.13402.34Laboratory of Applied Research on Electromagnetics (ARE), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China.
Conference/Journal: Transl Neurodegener.
Date published: 2017 Jan 25
Other: Volume ID: 6 , Pages: 2 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1186/s40035-017-0073-9. eCollection 2017. , Word Count: 178


Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a global health issue given the increasing prevalence rate and the limitations of drug effects. As a consequent, non-pharmacological interventions are of importance. Music therapy (MT) is a non-pharmacological way with a long history of use and a fine usability for dementia patients. In this review, we will summarize different techniques, diverse clinical trials, and the mechanisms of MT as it is helpful to the cognition in AD, providing reference for future research. Many articles have demonstrated that MT can reduce cognitive decline especially in autobiographical and episodic memories, psychomotor speed, executive function domains, and global cognition. MT is a promising intervention for strategy of dementia especially of AD and it must be started as early as possible. However, more evidences with prospective, randomized, blinded, uniform and rigorous methodological investigations are needed. And we should consider to combine MT with other cognitive stimulations such as dance, physical exercise, video game, art and so on.

KEYWORDS: Alzheimer’s disease (AD); Clinical trial; Cognition impairment; Music therapy (MT); Non-pharmacological intervention

PMID: 28149509 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-017-0073-9