The effect of music therapy on cognitive functions in patients with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The aim of the present study was to meta-analyze the effect of music therapy (MT) on cognitive functions in patients with dementia.

METHOD:

A systematic literature search was performed in Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL and RILM up to 8 September 2016. We included all randomized controlled trials that compared MT with standard care, or other non-musical types of intervention, evaluating cognitive outcomes in patients with dementia. Outcomes included global cognition, complex attention, executive function, learning and memory, language, and perceptual-motor skills.

RESULTS:

From 1089 potentially relevant records, 110 studies were assessed for eligibility, and 7 met the inclusion criteria, of which 6 contained appropriate data for meta-analysis (330 participants, mean age range 78.8-86.3). Overall, random-effects meta-analyses suggested no significant effects of MT on all outcomes. Subgroup analysis found evidence of a beneficial effect of active MT on global cognition (SMD = 0.29, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.57, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION:

Despite the limited evidence of the present review, it is important to continue supporting MT as a complementary treatment for older adults with dementia. RCTs with larger sample sizes are needed to better elucidate the impact of MT on cognitive functions.

• Authors: Laura Fusar-Poli, Łucja Bieleninik, Natascia Brondino, Xi-Jing Chen, Christian Gold
• Journal: Aging & mental health (Aging Ment Health) Vol. 22 Issue 9 Pg. 1097-1106 (09 2018) ISSN: 1364-6915 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 28691506 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review)

Topics

• Dementia (therapy)
• Humans
• Music Therapy (methods)
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care