Behavioral and Endocrinological Evaluation of Music Therapy for Elderly Patients With Dementia

Journal

Nursing and Health Sciences

Year

2004

Abstract

The present study investigated the effectiveness of music therapy for dementia patients using endocrinological and behavioral evaluations. The study comprised 10 patients with senile dementia who received music therapy; six had Alzheimer's dementia and four had vascular dementia. Music therapy was performed twice a week for 8 consecutive weeks (16 sessions). As a result, total scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) did not significantly change, but the scores of a subscale, "language", improved significantly. According to the Multidimensional Observation Scale For Elderly Subjects (MOSES), scores for "irritability" decreased significantly. Regarding changes in salivary chromogranin A (CgA) levels, the average was significantly decreased before session 16 compared to after this. These results suggest that the combination of endocrinological measurements, behavioral evaluations and functional assessment methods are useful in evaluating the effects of music therapy in persons with senile dementia.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Behavioral Scales; Elderly; Mental Health; Mood; Music Therapy; Neurodegenerative Disorders

Indexed Terms

Activities of Daily Living; Elderly; Elderly; Alzheimer Disease; Chromogranin A; Chromogranins; Dementia, Vascular; Geriatric Assessment; Irritable Mood; Japan; Mental Status Schedule; Neuropsychological Tests; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Saliva

Study Type

Quasi-Experimental Study; Quantitative Methods

PubMed ID

14764189

Document Type

Article

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