Effect of Music Therapy on Behavior of Alzheimer’s Patients
Introduction
Alzheimer’s disease is a disorder of the brain that largely affects the elderly. The disorder is given the name after Alois Alzheimer, a German physician who discovered it first in early 1900s. However, the condition entered the medical records in 1907. Scientists have discovered that Alzheimer’s is a developing and serious disease that usually affects the brain. The disease can also affect any other person despite the age number. Alzheimer’s disease damages the cells of the brain thereby causing memory loss hence subjecting the patients to thinking problems that subsequently affects works as well as social life of the patients. It is a condition that gets worse with time and can actually cause death. Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that counts for approximately eighty percentages of cases of dementia. It is worth noting that Alzheimer’s has been rated the 7th disease causing death in US (Mamtani, 2008, p.12).
The disease has no cure and it progresses with time. However its symptoms can be treated well in time before it progresses. Additionally, treatments for signs and symptoms while combined with the right support and service can extensively better many lives of people living with the condition. However, there are some measures which can be applied in order to prevent or delay the onset of the disease (Bellelli, 2008, p.17).
The disease becomes worse when the cells of the brain deteriorate and subsequently dies. The failing and death of the brain cells is believed to be caused by some typical structures referred to as tangles and plagues. These structures are involved in killing and destroying of nerve cells .Plagues and tangles were discovered in the brain of Auguste D.’ an Alzheimer’s patient through autopsy examination. They are types of proteins which are known to develop as people grow older but they increase tremendously to people with Alzheimer’s condition thereby blocking communication and distracting activities of nerve cells. If one experiences occasional problems and confusion when remembering things as well as slowed thinking he/she should go for a check for brain damage as this is an indication that there is a malfunction in the brain cells.
For severe conditions of Alzheimer’s there are various ways in which the disease can be managed. One of the best ways to manage the condition is through music therapy and proper care by trained nurses that goes beyond the professional reservation of their roles (Baker, 2007, p.33). According to culture care diversity and universality theory by Madeleine, nurses should try to preserve patient ways of life by helping the clients to move towards improvement and awarding care that satisfies the patients. The theory of the caring, the human mode of being by Simone Roach also fits for Alzheimer’s patient since a nurse need to be compassionate, conscious and competence while dealing with such patients. Putting into consideration that Alzheimer’s has no cure, proper care and the required therapy should be enhanced in order to better the patients’ lives. The theory of human care by Watson highlights the moral ideas that nurses should uphold in order to preserve human dignity (Bellelli, 2008, p.17).
Music therapy significantly increases the levels of melatonin which is one of the brain chemicals thereby triggering a change in behavior of the patients. The patients become less agitated and more active. Behaviors and movements which usually seem uncontrollable and unintended changes to focused and decisive behaviors after patients are subjected to music therapy. Consequently, the aggressive behaviors also become more rhythmical during the session of the therapy. Particularly, the violent behavior of the patient changes in reaction to the music subjected to them (Brown, 2006).
The therapy also enhances the sleeping behavior of the patients whereby patients begins to experience better sleep. In addition, the patients become more cooperative than before the therapy (Brown, 2006). Music therapy relaxes and calms the patients especially when calm and soothing music is subjected to them. Soothing and consoling music changes the patient’s agitation thereby prompting tranquility and cooperation when carrying out daily activities. Reduction in agitation caused by the music therapy changes the patient’s behavior towards other people especially those taking care of them.
Subjecting the Alzheimer’s patients to comforting music before sleeping allows the patient to sleep well with less disturbances and anxiety. The cognitive function of the patients is largely influenced by music therapy thus enhancing quality of life and behavior of the patients. It is worth noting that music therapy extensively influences both physical and emotional behavior of the patient (Bellelli, 2008, p.17). However, there are some recommendations to follow while using music therapy. These recommendations includes, identifying the music that is enjoyable and familiar to the intended listeners. Use of live tapes, encouraging movements as well as linking music with other activities such as photography yields better outcomes.
Research on music therapy on Alzheimer’s patients has indicated that patient who have successful undergone through this therapy are less agitated with improvement in mood. Consequently, the patients’ memory is enhanced through reduction of sensations. For elderly people, the songs that were played during their times and are familiar to them are efficient in improving their memory (Gerdner, 2009). Music therapy offers an improved quality of life while used to patients suffering from Alzheimer’s through stimulating the minds of the suffering patients thereby reducing their anxiety and perplexity. The therapy has been used in most elderly nursing homes due to it calming effect on the elderly who are prone to dementia as well as Alzheimer’s. However, music therapy cannot reverse Alzheimer’s but it can improve the life of not only the patient but also the persons taking caring of them (Mamtani, 2008, p.12).Music therapy stimulates the minds of patients with Alzheimer’s which is a disease that affects the brain cells. The therapy can change the, physical, social, as well as emotional behavior of the patient’s thereby leading to successful healing and relaxation. Music therapy is therefore a significant treatment that helps in improving the patients’ quality of life.
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