Music is woven into our daily lives. We can all do something to boost our mood, encourage us to run faster, and help us fall asleep. recognize its power. Therefore, it is no wonder that its use in medicine is increasing.
Not only has it been proven to be extremely helpful; cancer treatmentmanage chronic pain And it helps the brain too recovery after strokeresearchers are also making great strides in using music to help people with dementia.
it reduces the burden on the patient anxiety and depressionand improve happiness both for them and their caregivers. By strengthening Everyone’s ability to adapt and cope with adversity and stress.
music therapy Even in the form of playing, singing, and listening to music, positive effect cognitive function, especially senior citizen Either dementia or memory loss.
So why does music have such a powerful effect on people with dementia?
music and brain
Ten years ago, researchers discovered that When people listened to music, multiple areas of the brain were involved in its processing. These include the limbic system (processes emotions and memory), the cognitive cortex (involved in perception, learning, and reactions), and the motor cortex (responsible for voluntary movement).
This challenged the preconception that music is processed more narrowly in the brain and helped explain why music has such unique neurological effects.
Not only that, research shows music may help regenerate the brain And that connection. many Causes of dementia Cell death in the brain is at the center of the study, and music has the potential to help people with dementia by repairing and strengthening damaged neural connections and cells.
However, music is not the only thing that has a regenerative effect on the brain. familiar and favorite music It has been shown to have the greatest influence on how we feel and is closely related to memory and emotion.
Because you’re listening to your favorite song Release hormones that make you feel good it gives us joy. A carefully selected music playlist of your favorite music could be the key to combating this problem. stress of daily life.
This is linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias because researchers have discovered parts of the brain that are linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. music memories Compared to other areas of the brain, these symptoms are less affected. This explains why memories and experiences are connected. favorite music It is often reserved for people with such symptoms.
You can also listen to music Please help me manage Their pain, upset, and “sunset“People are more confused in the afternoon and evening.
in small study Research carried out by us and our colleagues at the Cambridge Institute of Music Therapy has shown just how powerful listening to music can be for people with dementia. We found that when people with dementia repeatedly listen to their favorite music, their heart rate and movement directly change.
This showed that people’s physical reactions were influenced by musical features such as rhythm and arrangement. My heart rate also changed when I started remembering old memories and stories while singing along to music, listening to songs, and thinking about music.
These changes are important because they show how music affects movement, emotion, and memory recall.
Studies have shown that while and after people with dementia listen to music, less upsettheir aggression and anxiety, and their overall mood improved. When I had regular music sessions, I also needed less medication.
Other researchers are beginning to test its effectiveness. music training program Supports cognitive function of dementia patients. The results so far have been promising, with adults in the study showing improvements in executive function (problem solving, emotional regulation, and attention) compared to adults who simply engaged in physical exercise. Shown.
Therefore, music is likely to continue to be a useful treatment for dementia patients. But based on what we know so far, it’s important that it’s from the patient’s own music collection, and that it helps slow the progression of dementia and supports self-care and health. It is used in conjunction with other management techniques, including the use of medications to help manage it. .
rebecca atkinsonmusic therapy researcher, Anglia Ruskin University and Minhoon SooSenior Researcher, Music Therapy; Anglia Ruskin University
This article is republished from conversation Under Creative Commons License. please read original article.