Music Therapy Interventions for Cognitive and Emotional Well-being in Dementia

Music therapy interventions encompass a spectrum of structured activities—from passive listening to personalised playlists and live performances to active music-making in individual or group settings. These approaches engage preserved neural circuits, promoting memory retrieval, language activation and attentional control while also alleviating agitation and depressive symptoms. Active participation, such as singing familiar songs or playing simple instruments, has been shown to bolster executive functions, verbal fluency and social connectedness. Conversely, passive music listening supports mood regulation, stress reduction and autobiographical reminiscence. Underlying mechanisms include neurochemical modulation (for example, endorphin release), reinforcement of autobiographical memory networks and enhanced caregiver–patient rapport. Practical applications span community choirs, technology-mediated home programmes and tailored playlists in care homes, highlighting a scalable, non-pharmacological strategy with global relevance to improve quality of life for people living with dementia.

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Music Therapy Interventions for Cognitive and Emotional Well-being in Dementia publication trend

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Technical terms

Active music intervention: A therapeutic approach requiring participants to produce music through singing, playing instruments or improvisation to stimulate cognitive and social engagement.

Passive music listening: The act of listening to pre-recorded or live music without active participation, often used to elicit relaxation, reminiscence or emotional regulation.

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD): A cluster of non-cognitive manifestations in dementia, including agitation, anxiety, apathy and mood disturbances that impact quality of life.

Reminiscence therapy: A strategy using personally meaningful stimuli, such as familiar songs, to evoke autobiographical memories and reinforce identity in people with dementia.

References

1. The effect of music therapy on cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy (2023).
2. Everyday Uses of Music Listening and Music Technologies by Caregivers and People With Dementia: Survey and Focus Group Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research (2024).
3. Music Therapy in the Treatment of Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Medicine (2020).