It seems like singing and dementia have a very interesting connection. According to a study led by Dr. Teppo Särkämö and his team at the University of Helsinki, musical activities initiated by caregivers were found to have a positive effect in the care and treatment of people with dementia, reports Psych Central.
The findings, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, involved 89 individuals with varying stages of dementia, from mild to moderate. In the study, test pairs were given a 10-week music coaching intervention that involved regular singing or listening to familiar songs.
By the end of the study, the researchers found that singing was beneficial for working memory, executive function and orientation, especially in persons with mild dementia and younger. For those who were afflicted with advanced dementia, music listening helped them as well, reports News Medical.
Patients who were afflicted with mild, Alzheimer's-type dementia were also found to have been less prone to depression during the duration of the study.
Särkämö believes that the findings of the study might very well pave the way for a more focused approach toward dementia care. He further stated that it is extremely important to find alternative ways that will hone and maintain the cognitive, emotional and social well-being of dementia patients, according to The International Business Times.
