The Effect of Music Therapy on Cognitive Functions and Adaptation in Alzheimer's Patients

Abstract

With the increasing life expectancy in the world, chronic diseases are seen in elderly individuals. There is currently no treatment that can prevent, stop or cure Alzheimer’s disease, one of these chronic diseases, or slow down neurodegeneration in AD. The treatments used are symptomatic treatments to slow down the course of the disease. Since the 1960s, psychosocial interventions have been used in addition to medications in the treatment of AD and its use has increased after the 2000s. One of the psychosocial interventions to be applied in AD is Music Therapy. It is emphasized that Music Therapy is a promising intervention especially for AD and it should be started as early as possible. It is important that nurses use Music Therapy, which is one of the non-pharmacological methods, in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, in order to strengthen the coping mechanisms of the patients and increase the communication, cognitive functions and adaptation levels of the individuals with the environment. In this article, information about the effectiveness of music therapy in Alzheimer’s patients will be given.