Music, Emotion, and Dementia Insight From Neuroscientific and Clinical Research

1. Teppo Särkämö, PhD, MA1,2⇓

1. Sari Laitinen, LicPhil, MA3
2. Mari Tervaniemi, PhD, MA1,2,4
3. Ava Numminen, PhD, MA5
4. Merja Kurki, PhD, MA3
5. Pekka Rantanen, PhD, MD, eMBA6

1. 1Cognitive Science, Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
2. 2Finnish Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Music Research, University of Jyväskylä, Finland
3. 3Miina Sillanpää Foundation, Helsinki, Finland
4. 4Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Finland
5. 5Unit of Educational Psychology, Department of Teacher Education, University of Helsinki, Finland
6. 6Espoo Hospital, Finland

1. Teppo Särkämö, Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, PO Box 9, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland Email: teppo.sarkamo@helsinki.fi

Abstract

Music has an important meaning in the lives of many elderly persons. Its capacity to evoke emotions and influence mood and arousal is often relatively well preserved also in dementia. Neuroscientific and clinical research has increased our understanding about the mechanisms underlying music enjoyment and its therapeutic effects. This article reviews previous studies that address the neural basis of music cognition and emotion. We also introduce the effects of varying music interventions on emotional and cognitive functioning in dementia. Findings suggest that both traditional music therapy and caregiver-implemented music activities may have the capacity to reduce emotional and behavioral disturbances in dementia, although firm conclusions about the long-term effects of music still remain elusive. The rapid growth of dementia warrants study in the rehabilitative effects of everyday musical leisure activities or hobbies, such as music listening and singing, on well-being in dementia, especially in its early stages.

http://mmd.sagepub.com/content/4/3/153.full