title: Active music therapy improves cognition and behaviour in chronic vascular encephalopathy: a case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study describes the effects of active music therapy (AMT) on cognition and behaviour in chronic vascular encephalopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single case study investigated different cognitive and psycho-behavioural changes after AMT.
  
  
  METHODS
  An adult patient with memory, attention, and verbal fluency deficits associated with Vascular Cognitive Impairment-No Dementia (VCI-ND) was treated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A four-months AMT course was based on creative and interactive music playing. Sixteen sessions were conducted simultaneously to the pharmacological therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cognitive performances, mood, interpersonal interactions, and perceived abilities were assessed using standardized neuropsychological and psycho-behavioural measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, the patient reported a tendency to feel tense, nervous, and angry and difficulties in memory and visuospatial performances, frequently accompanied by attention drops. The social network was a habitual component of the patient's life, but not a source of sharing of personal experiences, safety or comfort. Neuropsychological tests showed deficits in object and figure naming, verbal fluency, short and long-term verbal memory, short-term spatial memory, selective attention, and visuomotor coordination. After AMT, the cognitive profile significantly improved in attention, visuomotor coordination, and verbal and spatial memory. Such positive changes were confirmed at the three-months follow-up. An increase of the interpersonal interactions and consistent reduction of anxiety were also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In selected patients with VCI-ND, a well-structured AMT intervention added to standard therapy may contribute in determining a stable improvement of cognitive and psycho-behavioural aspects. Controlled studies are needed to confirm these promising results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostics and Applied Technology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milano, Italy. Electronic address: rgiovagnoli@istituto-besta.it.
authors.forename: Anna Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Giovagnoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostics and Applied Technology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oliveri
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostics and Applied Technology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schifano
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostics and Applied Technology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raglio
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008569:Memory Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D009147:Music Therapy; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
keywords: Cognition; Depression; Music therapy; Vascular encephalopathy