title: Effects of music therapy on psychological symptoms and heart rate variability in patients with dementia. A pilot study.
abstract: We assessed the effects of music therapy (MT) on behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD) in dementia associated with changes in physiological parameters, as heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). Twenty subjects were randomly assigned to MT treatment or standard care; all patients underwent neuropsychological assessment and ECG Holter recordings before and after the 15-week treatment. The treatment included 30 MT sessions. Depression significantly decreased (p=0.021) in the MT group. PNN50 improved in 50% patients of the MT group, but in none of the control group (p=0.013). MT may improve symptoms of depression and increase HRV in demented patients.
authors.affiliation: Sospiro Foundation, Piazza Libertà, 2 - 26048 Sospiro, Cremona, Italy. raglioa@tin.it
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raglio
authors.forename: Osmano
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Oasi
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gianotti
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Manzoni
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bolis
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ubezio
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Villani
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stramba-Badiale
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009147:Music Therapy; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index