Music and Dementia: Individual Differences in Response to Personalized Playlists

Abstract

Personalized music playlists are increasingly being used in health-care contexts to address the psychological and behavioral symptoms in people with dementia. However, there is little understanding of how people with different mental health histories and symptoms respond differently to music. A factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of depression, anxiety, apathy, and cognitive decline on affective response to music. Ninety-nine people with dementia listened to three music playlists based on personal preferences. Activation of facial action units was measured, and behavioural responses continuously observed. Results demonstrated that people with high levels of depression and with symptoms of Alzheimer's type dementia demonstrated increased levels of sadness when listening to music. People with low depression but high levels of apathy demonstrated the highest behavioral evidence of pleasure during music listening, although behavioral evidence declined with severity of cognitive impairment. It is concluded that as well as accounting for personal preferences, music interventions for people with dementia need to take mental health history and symptoms into account.

<p>Systematic Use of Song and Music in Dementia Care: Health Care Providers’ Experiences</p>

“…Studies have shown that non-personalized music might increase anxiety and depression in patients with dementia. 6,25 It was vital to organize active song sessions in groups with staff present all the time. Several strategies related to music therapy are described, and distinction is often made between a receptive approach (listening to music) and an active approach (i.e., participating).…”

“…Similar findings have been found in other studies. 6,25 People with dementia are as varied as people without it, and they have their own backgrounds, histories, and preferences. Music is found to be closely associated with each person's identity, history, and earlier life events, which are often linked to a particular type of music.…”

“…4 One non-pharmacological intervention found to be appropriate in the treatment of both behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia is music therapy. [5][6][7] Music therapy is defined as a music intervention facilitated by a trained music therapist. 6,8 The goal of the Norwegian Dementia Plan 2020 9 is to build a more dementia-friendly society.…”

“…[5][6][7] Music therapy is defined as a music intervention facilitated by a trained music therapist. 6,8 The goal of the Norwegian Dementia Plan 2020 9 is to build a more dementia-friendly society. This implies, among other things, supporting the physical and mental health of persons suffering from dementia, and the facilitation of coping, belonging, and experience of meaningfulness.…”

“…However, other studies have found that people with dementia can react negatively to music. For example, Garrido et al 6 found that patients with high levels of depression showed more sadness when they listened to music. Given this discrepancy, we sought to examine the implementation of a song and music program in more detail from the care providers perspective.…”