Have you ever listened to a song that took you back to a certain time and place in your life, or listened to a song that gave you the chills? Music is so powerful that it does just that; it is medicine for the mind and soul. So many studies will show its therapeutic values on an individual’s mind. It lowers stress, while increasing focus and memory. When music is heard the brain releases a chemical called dopamine known as mood enhancers. There are no boundaries or discriminations that music has with its therapeutic values. Playing music from that individual’s generation triggers a spark in the brain that is associated with memory and cognition.
Anne Lipe, PHD, a board-certified music therapist shared a story of one of her clients on musictherapy.org. Rose, a woman in her 80’s who was diagnosed with SDAP (Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type) showed extraordinary responses to music therapy. Rose was in the process of her disease where she only spoke in one-word syllables and was unaware of her environmental surrounding. When she started participating in music therapy significant changes in behaviors started to occur. She would sing “You are my Sunshine” where the words were comprehensible and clearly understood, with pitch and melody recognition to the song. She would sing with such emotional expression that her face would light up and became more aware of her surroundings. It was noted by Dr. Lipe that music lessened her agitation associated with dementia and increased her mood and relaxation, ultimately drawing her into a world of peace and connection from a desolate world of isolation.
There are so many stories to share regarding the benefits music has on cognition and memory. Another being Tony Gorkiewicz, videographer/editor who had created a remarkable documentary on the “Power of Music and Dementia”.