TY - JOUR
AR - GGR-2019-1-104
TI - A Systematic Review of the Literature for the Effects of Music on Dementia Patients
AU - Andra Duff-Woskosky, 
AU - Julie Earle, 
AU - Marina, Ali
AU - Sheri, Horsburgh
AU - Wally J., Bartfay
JO - Gerontology and Geriatric Research
PY - 2019
DA - Mon 10, Feb 2020
SN - 2733-2292
DO - http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.GGR.2019.01.04
UR - https://www.sciencerepository.org/a-systematic-review-of-the-literature-for-the-effects-of-music_GGR-2019-1-104 
KW - Systematic review, music therapy, dementia, BPSD, quality of life, nonpharmacological intervention
AB - Introduction: There are over 100 different forms of dementia which is a broad term employed to describe
symptoms effecting the brain caused by neurological and vascular diseases. It is a neurological disease that
results in a decline in cognitive, social and physical disability which currently has no cure. The prevalence
is expected to triple by 2050, due to the aging population trends in Canada. It has been estimated that 24.3
million people have dementia, and there are 4.6 million new cases annually, which accounts for one case
every 3 seconds globally.
Objectives: This systematic review examines the effects of music therapy on behavioral psychological
symptoms of dementia and the quality of life.
Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in Ovid Medline, CINAHL and PsycINFO from
January 2000 until August 2019. A data abstraction template was employed to for data management and
organization. We included all peer reviewed, English articles, RCT’s, systematic reviews, meta-analysis,
abstract pool and all or some key words.
Results: From 968 potentially relevant records, 55 studies were evaluated for eligibility, and 20 met the
inclusion criteria. Overall the studies showed a significant impact on mitigating agitation, reducing BPSD
and improving memory, cognition, QOL and decreasing anxiety and symptoms associated with depression.
Conclusion: The role of musical interventions found in the literature demonstrates the benefits of music
therapy on dementia patients due to its positive effects on BPSD, quality of life and other behavioral
symptoms.