In the previous article I wrote about neurological music therapy (NMT) and how it works in general. Here I want to give you a small example of how useful it could be to treat patients with dementia.
As these diseases progress, different areas of the brain are damaged and this leads to a loss in the ability to think, process and remember information.
Many areas are involved, but many others are still healthy and, among them, the areas where music is processed.
Therefore, music can reach and recruit alternative paths to improve the weak connection and at the same time bypass non-functional areas to have a better performance in recalling information and in its recognition.
Music is a powerful link with memory, and accessing the still intact part of the person’s brain in the midst of the disease opens the door to other areas of functioning.
Another important clue is the direct connection between hearing a rhythm and the output of a movement. This makes music a highly effective treatment tool for maintaining movement skills for people with neurological decline.
“When working with individuals with memory loss, combining movement with familiar music results in full brain activation, promoting engagement, interaction with others, and attention maintenance.
By addressing Alzheimer’s and dementia at the brain level, NMT can positively affect the skills and abilities a person needs to honor his/her identity, meaningfully relate to others, and engage in the highest possible quality of life” [1]
Reference:
[1] Neurologic Music Therapy Services of Arizona – NMT and Alzheimer’s/dementia
