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Music Therapy Benefits for Adult
The geriatric population can be especially prone to anxiety and depression,
particularly in old home residents. Chronic diseases causing pain are also not
uncommon in this setting. Music is an excellent outlet to provide enjoyment,
relaxation, relief from pain, and an opportunity to socialize and reminisce about music
that has had special importance to the individual.
It can have a striking effect on patients with Alzheimer's disease, even sometimes
allowing them to focus and become responsive for a time. Music has also been
observed to decrease the agitation that is so common with this disease.
One study shows that elderly people who playa musical instrument are more
physically and emotionally fit as they age than their non-musical peers.
Music therapy is efficacious and valid with older persons who have functional deficits
in physical, psychological, cognitive or social functioning. Research results and clinical
experiences attest to the viability of music therapy even in those who are resistive to
other treatment approaches. Music is a form of sensory stimulation, which provokes
responses due to the familiarity, predictability, and feelings of security.
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