The article on AD observed the effects of passive MT, or the effects of just listening music on the behavior of patients with with moderate to severe Alzheimer's. The authors found that patients patients' daily activities were disturbed much less frequently, and that the patients displayed less aggressiveness and anxiety. The MT effects lasted for about a month after the therapy stopped.
While this therapy is clearly not going to cure AD, I think it is a great step in helping patients suffering for this disease to maintain a semblance of normalcy.
Vino,
ReplyDeleteInteresting article!
As a hospice volunteer, I often encounter Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease patients. I remember one particular Alzheimer's patient who was extremely agressive and violent whenever any personnel tried to perform hygienic duties on the patient. After refusing to take any medications the patient remained extremely aggressive until the patient's roommate decided to play music to drown out the noises from the Alzheimer's patient. Thereafter the personnel noticed a decrease in agressive behavior by the individual.
So, I have seen MT in action and think it helps not only patients and their respective families, but medical personnel as well.
I apologize, Vinoo*
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that you mention this, because in another PSIO class earlier this semester we had Sharon Kha, who used to be a Vice President of our University, come in and share her experience with PD. She raps as part of her personal therapy to slow the progression of the disease, with the theory that forcing the brain to do new things, do them with high energy and concentration, and do them quickly, will maintain the viability of the dopaminergic neurons for longer. Becky Farley is one of the main scientists/health professionals behind the idea, and she expands the idea of vigorous mental exercise into the realm of intense physical exercise to combat the progression of PD.
ReplyDeleteMusic almost seems to be a wonder drug in not only providing for happiness and relaxation, but also having a beneficial physiological effect. I too once worked as hospice volunteer and saw that music has a profound effect on subduing aggression and mood swings, but not every person follows the same beat, thus subjecting many people to the same sound track might have an adverse effect.
ReplyDeleteI was also in Jeff's class where Sharon Kha came to visit and rapped for us. It was amazing to see the fluidity and ability to flow while being effected by Parkinson's, it was as if she was effected at all. Here's the link to her article.
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/article_f2daed2b-3abb-51fc-9161-e912c93f3dee.html