The ability to connect patients with loved ones

The ace people with dementia they lose their ability communicate orally with them relatives in the later stages of the disease.

Now, however, a study by Northwestern University (Illinois, USA) in collaboration with the Institute for Therapy through the Arts (ITA) shows how this gap can be bridged through music.

In the intervention, developed at the ITA and called the “musical bridge to memory”, a musical ensemble performing Arts youth music Patient, like the music from ‘Oklahoma’ or songs from ‘Smiles and Tears’.

According to the authors of the study, this makes a emotional connection between patient and caregiver, allowing them discuss together Music accompanied by songs, dances and games of simple instruments.

Program also improved Patient social engagement and reduced neuropsychiatric symptomssuch as agitation, anxiety and depression, both in patients and caregivers.

More than 6 million people in America suffer from Alzheimer’s disease

The study, published in Alzheimer’s Disease and Associated Disorders, is “Extraordinary“Because he went dementia patient and their caregiversWhile most previous studies have focused on the use of music for patients with dementia only in patients,

“Patients were able to connect with their peers through musica connection that was not available to them Orally,” said Bonakdarpour, an associate professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine neurologist.

“Families and friends of people with dementia also affected byit is painful for them not to do get in touch with a loved oneWhen language is no longer possible, music serves as a bridge.

loss musical memories they usually live in Brain even when Language: Hindi and others Cheers disappear during dementia processsaid Bonkdarpur.

it’s because brain region which interferes with Commemoration And that music processing (for example, the cerebellum) does not appear affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia until much later in the course of the disease.

Thus, the patient can keep ability to dance and sing After a long time, her ability to speak declined.

how the study worked

In the study, with individuals Madness And his comrade were taking care recorded on video Chat and chat 10 minutes before and 10 minutes after Interference,

Before the music was played, each pair of patients and caregivers received training. how to speak more effectively during music.

During a 45-minute musical intervention, a group of chamber musicians and a singer interpreted the songs. He attracted patients from his youth,

patients and their caregivers received simple toolslike tambourines and maracas, so with music.

specially trained music therapist conversation with the sick During the show, they have to play drums, sing and dance.

after the music group chatpatients showed more committed socially, which was increasingly evident contact lensessomething less distractionsomething less Nervousness And one vibe High.

By comparing, control groupwho did not receive Interference and was exposed Meditation and normal daily schedules, did not show that To change in the same period. the program includes 12 sessions more than three months.

Everyone was able to identify with their loved one

Before the procedure, some people they did not communicate a lot with your partners. However, during the intervention, they began to play, sing and dance togetherwhich meant a significant change for the family. These changes have also been generalized to behaviour outside sessions.

“as a program” Advancedcaregivers invited various members of family“, according to Jeffrey Wolfe, neurological music therapist at ITA and manager of the Musical Bridges to Memory program.

“It became a general experience For the whole family. could do anything connect with your loved one regardless of the degree of dementia.

The next step in the investigation is to perform study in a large group of patientsITA and Northwestern obtained three-year grant Expand this study through the National Endowment for the Arts.

About Shirley A. Tamayo

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