Effect of music on patients

Research has been done into the effects of music on patients suffering from major neurocognitive disorder. The research shows that music can improve behavior, mood [3] and cognition [2]. Furthermore, music shows to be a powerful tool for reminiscence [1] which is important for memory.  Besides, music has also been proved to be able to improve speech fluency and activate innovative dialogues [2].

Use of music

In our use of music we aim to improve the memory of the patients while simultaneously linking the music to daily activities that the patients perform. By personalizing the music for the individual patients, with the help of caregivers or loved ones, we ensure the patient is happy to use the platform. Furthermore, the personalized music might already remind them of performing certain daily actions they need to perform. Moreover, by adding a daily quiz about which music belongs to a certain activity a stronger cognitive link is created.        

The specific music linked to activities is changeable with permission of the caregiver to prevent patients from gaining a dislike from specific songs by repetitive exposure. 

Citations

[1] Baird, A., & Samson, S. (2015). Chapter 11 - Music and dementia. In E. Altenmüller, S. Finger, & F. Boller (Reds), Music, Neurology, and Neuroscience: Evolution, the Musical Brain, Medical Conditions, and Therapies (bll 207–235). doi:10.1016/bs.pbr.2014.11.028

[2] Baird, A., Garrido, S., & Tamplin, J. (Eds.). (2019). Music and dementia: From cognition to therapy. Oxford University Press.

[3] Narme P, Clément S, Ehrlé N, Schiaratura L, Vachez S, Courtaigne B, Munsch F, Samson S. Efficacy of musical interventions in dementia: evidence from a randomized controlled trial. J Alzheimers Dis. 2014;38(2):359-69. doi: 10.3233/JAD-130893. PMID: 23969994.