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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many areas are involved, but many others are still healthy and, among them, the areas where music is processed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen working with individuals with memory loss, combining movement with familiar music results in full brain activation, promoting engagement, interaction with others, and attention maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By addressing Alzheimer\u2019s 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\u201d [1]<\/p>\n\n\n\n