The various forms and types of dementia are terrible, debilitating conditions. Even worse, there is very little known about these conditions, so treatment and management options are, in many cases, very limited. Fortunately for dementia sufferers and their families, there is proof that music therapy can have a significant, positive impact on symptoms and quality of life.

If you or one of your loved ones suffers from a form of dementia, then read on for more information about how music therapy for dementia works, and what you can expect.

Why Does Music Therapy Work?

The first thing you probably want to know is how music therapy for dementia works. The answer lies in how our brains work.

While music can certainly trigger memories, relieve stress, and change our moods, the rhythms that we hear don't actually require any cognitive input in order to make those things happen. In other words, we don't need to think about music for it to soothe or make us happy, unlike something like reading or even watching and interpreting television.

Because music essentially bypasses the conscious mind to work it's mood altering, stress relieving magic, it can be used even for patients with advanced cases of dementia.

How Is Music for Therapy Selected?

Music therapy usually works by selecting music that has various effects on the person being treated. Often, a therapist will speak to the patient's family to find out which pieces of music have special significance to them, as this music is most likely to elicit a response.

They will also try to avoid music which has negative connotations for the patient, such as reminding them of sadness or anger associated with an event. In many cases, familiar music will be interspersed with music that the patient does not know, and which therefore carries no connotations.

When music that that the patient knows is selected, it will often be from the period of their youth, as that is most likely to have an impact.

Different Types of Music for Different Responses

The music that is selected for treatment of dementia patients can be divided into two broad groups: stimulative and sedative. Stimulative music is upbeat and happy, such as dance music, and in dementia patients, this will usually promote actions like toe taps. Sedative music is slower, and more relaxing, and can be used to calm stressed or agitated patients.