Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic and devastating neurodegenerative disorder. It is the most prevalent form of dementia (around 70%) and is rapidly increasing in incidence. The etiology and risk factors for AD are multifactorial and still unclear. Two main pathophysiological processes that characterize AD are the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein and the accumulation of amyloid beta in the brain. The crucial symptoms of AD include loss of concentration and memory, depression, and disorientation in time and space. Therapy for AD includes both pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures; however, the therapeutic effects are generally modest and do not halt disease progression. Music therapy (MT) is an emerging and promising non-pharmacological treatment for AD. It may slow cognitive deterioration, particularly in relation to autobiographical memory, and improve executive functioning and psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and agitation. Music particularly engages brain regions responsible for emotional processing, such as the limbic and paralimbic systems. Types of music interventions include active music therapy, music-based interventions, caregiver singing, individualized listening to music, and background music. MT can be carried out by qualified music therapists, caregivers, or through personal engagement. No serious side effects of MT have been reported so far. The results of randomized controlled trials support the use of MT in conjunction with pharmacological treatment. This combined approach may reduce psychological and behavioral symptoms and improve cognitive functioning in people with AD.
Goran Belojevic (2025) studied this question.