Research carried out by the team at University of Toronto and Unity Health Toronto explored what happened when participants with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease listened to a curated playlist of autobiographically relevant, familiar music for one hour a day over the course of three weeks. Findings showed an improvement in memory performance, supporting the potential for personalised musical interventions for people with dementia

An Australian study showed that personalised music positively influenced residents’ behaviour and well-being; social interaction; and the workplace environment and culture. They found that a personalised music program is an effective, low-cost intervention to improve quality of life care of residents living with dementia and boost staff well-being, in low-resourced or rural aged-care settings

Research quoted in the ‘All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing Inquiry Report Creative Health: The Arts for Health and Wellbeing’, highlighted music therapy as an effective intervention for managing dementia

Researchers in America found that personalised playlists used as part of the ‘Music and Memory’ programme reduced the need for antipsychotic medication and in managing some of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia

Researchers found that carers participating in weekly music therapy sessions thought that the therapy helped in managing symptoms and improved wellbeing. The quality of care from care givers improved as a result of the therapy programme due to enhanced communication between care staff and residents

The power of music to support health and wellbeing is well documented with a report published last year by UK Music and Music for Dementia calling for music to be an integral part of health and social care. The report outlines a series of ambitious but achievable recommendations which can be quickly implemented to deliver positive change