title: The impact of group music therapy on depression and cognition in elderly persons with dementia: a randomized controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to determine the effectiveness of group music therapy for improving depression and delaying the deterioration of cognitive functions in elderly persons with dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study had a prospective, parallel-group design with permuted-block randomization. Older persons with dementia (N = 104) were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental group received 12 sessions of group music therapy (two 30-min sessions per week for 6 weeks), and the control group received usual care. Data were collected 4 times: (1) 1 week before the intervention, (2) the 6th session of the intervention, (3) the 12th session of the intervention, and (4) 1 month after the final session.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group music therapy reduced depression in persons with dementia. Improvements in depression occurred immediately after music therapy and were apparent throughout the course of therapy. The cortisol level did not significantly decrease after the group music therapy. Cognitive function significantly improved slightly at the 6th session, the 12th session, and 1 month after the sessions ended; in particular, short-term recall function improved. The group music therapy intervention had the greatest impact in subjects with mild and moderate dementia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The group music intervention is a noninvasive and inexpensive therapy that appeared to reduce elders' depression. It also delayed the deterioration of cognitive functions, particularly short-term recall function. Group music therapy may be an appropriate intervention among elderly persons with mild and moderate dementia.
authors: 1Institute of Aerospace and Undersea Medicine, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Hsin
authors: H
authors: Chu
authors: Chyn-Yng
authors: CY
authors: Yang
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Lin
authors: Keng-Liang
authors: KL
authors: Ou
authors: Tso-Ying
authors: TY
authors: Lee
authors: Anthony Paul
authors: AP
authors: O'Brien
authors: Kuei-Ru
authors: KR
authors: Chou
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009147:Music Therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: cognitive function; dementia; depression; elderly; therapy