title: An overview of the use of music therapy in the context of Alzheimer's disease: a report of a French expert group.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this overview is to present the developments of music therapy in France, its techniques, mechanisms and principal indications, mainly in the context of Alzheimer's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  An international review of the literature on music therapy applied to Alzheimer's disease was conducted using the principal scientific search engines. A work group of experts in music therapy and psychosocial techniques then considered the different points highlighted in the review of literature and discussed them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical and neurophysiological studies have enlightened some positive benefits of music in providing support for people with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders. Music therapy acts mainly through emotional and psycho-physiological pathways. It includes a series of techniques that can respond to targeted therapeutic objectives. Some studies have shown that music therapy reduces anxiety, alleviates periods of depression and aggressive behaviour and thus significantly improves mood, communication and autonomy of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychosocial interventions, such as music therapy, can contribute to maintain or rehabilitate functional cognitive and sensory abilities, as well as emotional and social skills and to reduce the severity of some behavioural disorders.
authors: 1AMARC-Association de Musicothérapie Applications et Recherches Cliniques, France.
authors: Stéphane
authors: S
authors: Guetin
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Charras
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: Berard
authors: Christophe
authors: C
authors: Arbus
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Berthelon
authors: Frédéric
authors: F
authors: Blanc
authors: Jean-Pierre
authors: JP
authors: Blayac
authors: Florence
authors: F
authors: Bonte
authors: Jean-Paul
authors: JP
authors: Bouceffa
authors: Sylvain
authors: S
authors: Clement
authors: Gérard
authors: G
authors: Ducourneau
authors: Fabrice
authors: F
authors: Gzil
authors: Nathalie
authors: N
authors: Laeng
authors: Edith
authors: E
authors: Lecourt
authors: Sylvie
authors: S
authors: Ledoux
authors: Hervé
authors: H
authors: Platel
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Thomas-Anterion
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Touchon
authors: François-Xavier
authors: FX
authors: Vrait
authors: Jean-Marie
authors: JM
authors: Leger
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: behavioural disorders; dementia; mood; music therapy; psychosocial intervention