Evaluation of the Influence of a Music Therapy Programme on the Psychological and Behavioural Symptoms of Dementias (SPCD) and Mood in a sample of Alzheimer’s patients. Pilot Study.

Abstract

Introduction: The psychological and behavioral symptoms of dementia (SPCD), as well as mood alterations, represent a set of symptoms relevant to Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Objective: To determine the influence of the music therapy program in a sample of Alzheimer’s patients on the behavioral area and mood.

Methods: It consisted of a longitudinal study based on the implantation during 3 months of a music therapy program to a total of 17 participants of which 8 were men and 9 women, with ages between 67 and 90 years. The geriatric depression scale (GDS), BEHAVE and NPI was administered. The program consisted of 5 sessions. The first two sessions included 5 activities related to heating, session motivation, conscious body activation, perceptual development, relaxation, and assessment. The third, fourth and fifth sessions also included a complementary activity, such as motivation for the session in the third session and perceptual development in the fourth and fifth sessions. The sessions were repeated three times, making a total of 15 sessions. Memory, language, praxis, recognition, SPCDs, and moods were worked on.

Results: After the application of the program, significant differences were obtained in the geriatric depression scale (p=0.02). There was also an improvement in the BEHAVE and NPI means, although they did not become significant.

Conclusion: It was determined that the application of the program had a positive influence on mood and that it could be beneficial in maintaining the psychological and behavioral symptoms of AD.