Presentation Type

Poster

Department

Biology

Location

Walker Conference Center B

Description

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia which causes the brain to slowly degenerate leading to memory loss and the reduced ability to perform activities of daily living. The disease can also cause individuals to become combative, aggressive, and to suffer personality changes. This literature review examines the effects of music therapy on the combative behaviors of long-term care residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Methods: A review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and the National Library of Medicine. Peer reviewed articles were limited to full text articles written within the past five years. Abstracts were reviewed for the higher levels of evidence. In this literature review, four articles were reviewed including two meta-analysis studies and two randomized control trials. The articles were found using Boolean search strategies and the key words: dementia, Alzheimer’s, music therapy, long term care, and aggressive behaviors.

Results: All four articles found music therapy to be effective in reducing aggressive behaviors and reducing cognitive distress in long term care residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Discussion: The studies show that both making music and listening to music are effective forms of therapy in treating the aggressive behaviors of Alzheimer's and dementia. The interventions showed positive effects in improving aggression, anxiety, mood, and quality of life. Music therapy is an effective non-pharmacological method in reducing aggression caused by dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Comments

This poster was presented as part of the NURS 3133 Evidence-Based Nursing Research taught by Dr. Carol Carter.

Included in

Nursing Commons

Share

COinS
 
Apr 26th, 1:45 PM Apr 26th, 3:00 PM

The Effects of Music Therapy on the Aggressive Behaviors of Long-term Car Residents with Alzheimer's Disease

Walker Conference Center B

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia which causes the brain to slowly degenerate leading to memory loss and the reduced ability to perform activities of daily living. The disease can also cause individuals to become combative, aggressive, and to suffer personality changes. This literature review examines the effects of music therapy on the combative behaviors of long-term care residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Methods: A review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and the National Library of Medicine. Peer reviewed articles were limited to full text articles written within the past five years. Abstracts were reviewed for the higher levels of evidence. In this literature review, four articles were reviewed including two meta-analysis studies and two randomized control trials. The articles were found using Boolean search strategies and the key words: dementia, Alzheimer’s, music therapy, long term care, and aggressive behaviors.

Results: All four articles found music therapy to be effective in reducing aggressive behaviors and reducing cognitive distress in long term care residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Discussion: The studies show that both making music and listening to music are effective forms of therapy in treating the aggressive behaviors of Alzheimer's and dementia. The interventions showed positive effects in improving aggression, anxiety, mood, and quality of life. Music therapy is an effective non-pharmacological method in reducing aggression caused by dementia and Alzheimer’s.

 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.