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Music and dementia

Authors Nair BR , Browne W, Marley J, Heim C

Received 23 May 2013

Accepted for publication 6 August 2013

Published 5 September 2013 Volume 2013:3 Pages 47—51

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/DNND.S35762

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3



Balakrishnan R Nair,1 William Browne,2 John Marley,3 Christian Heim4

1University of Newcastle and the Centre for Medical Education, HNE Health, Newcastle, NSW, 2Geriatric Medicine, Eastern Health, Melbourne, VIC, 3Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, 4Toowong Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Abstract: As the population ages, the prevalence of dementia is increasing. Distressing behavioral problems are often part of the illness. This review considers the available evidence for cognitive effects related to music, evidence for the efficacy of music in the management of behavioral problems in dementia, and evidence about the effects of different types of music, their mode of delivery, and any adverse effects. Live music may be more beneficial than recorded. The effect of music may not be lasting, but there is evidence of benefit in studies, which to date are mostly not of high quality.

Keywords: music, dementia, benefit

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