MUSIC THERAPY AS AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/isevmjv5n2-036Keywords:
Music Therapy, Complementary Therapies, Alzheimer’s Disease, Cognitive DisorderAbstract
Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory and cognition, being one of the main causes of cognitive decline in older adults, and is associated with executive dysfunction and functional loss. Music therapy emerges as a non-pharmacological treatment alternative to reduce some symptoms experienced by patients with AD, including anxiety, agitation, and depression.
Objective: To identify the role of music therapy as a complementary tool in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Methodology: The study was structured based on the SANRA methodology (Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles). Articles were obtained from the databases Regional Portal of the Virtual Health Library, LILACS, PubMed, and SciELO, and selected according to the proposed inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Results: Seven articles were selected, including randomized clinical trials, experimental studies, and observational studies, all of which demonstrated benefits of music therapy on Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
Discussion: Music therapy has shown promise as a complementary approach in the treatment of AD, demonstrating positive effects on cognition, behavior, and communication in patients. However, its effectiveness varies according to professional training, study context, and type of intervention, suggesting the need for further research with larger samples and standardized methodologies.
Conclusion: Music therapy is a therapeutic approach for AD that offers cognitive, emotional, and social benefits to patients. It improves quality of life and alleviates symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, and depression by creating emotional connections and stimulating memories and cognitive functions in a safe and personalized manner. Thus, music therapy has shown promising results, suggesting that music can activate memories, improve communication, and delay the progression of cognitive deficits.
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