Author: Raglio A, Oasi O, Gianotti M, Manzoni V, Bolis S, Ubezio MC, Gentile S, Villani D, Stramba-Badiale M.
Affiliation: Sospiro Foundation, Piazza Libertà , 2 - 26048 Sospiro, Cremona, Italy. raglioa@tin.it.
Conference/Journal: Curr Aging Sci
Date published: 2010 Jul 5
Other:
Word Count: 98
We assessed the effects of music therapy (MT) on behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD) in dementia associated with changes in physiological parameters, as heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). Twenty subjects were randomly assigned to MT treatment or standard care; all patients underwent neuropsychological assessment and ECG Holter recordings before and after the 15-week treatment. The treatment included 30 MT sessions. Depression significantly decreased (p=0.021) in the MT group. PNN50 improved in 50% patients of the MT group, but in none of the control group (p=0.013). MT may improve symptoms of depression and increase HRV in demented patients.