Faculty Sponsor

Jessica Bruskoski

College

Nursing

Department/Program

Physician Assistant Program

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Summer 7-2024

Abstract

Objective: Assessing depression in patients with dementia presents challenges due to the inherent nature of the disease. This review aims to explore the potential effect of music therapy in mitigating agitation and depression symptoms by fostering positive memories and facilitating connections to the patient’s past.

Methods: A comprehensive literature and systematic review was conducted, examining published studies and analyses comparing music therapy’s effects to standard care or alternative care.

Results: Various forms of music intervention have demonstrated a considerable reduction in overall depressive and agitation symptoms, notably for short-term intervention. Music therapy can be applied either independently or in conjunction with pharmacotherapy to effectively alleviate symptoms in dementia patients.

Conclusion: Music therapy has the potential to reduce depression and agitation symptoms in dementia patients. Future research and studies should include more patients, varying environments, and subtype analysis regarding specific types of dementia and their relation to the music processing centers.

Keywords: Music therapy, Dementia, Depression, Agitation, Quality of life

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Zoe has a special interest in Emergency Medicine and Orthopedics and plans to work in an ER around Chicago after graduation. She will be presenting “The effects of music therapy for depressive and agitative symptoms in Dementia Patients” because she has a special interest in music and its lasting effects.

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