Cochrane Review: Music-Based Interventions for Dementia Show Modest Benefits

A recent Cochrane review evaluated the effects of music-based therapeutic interventions on individuals with dementia. Analysing data from 30 studies involving 1,720 participants, the review found that, compared to usual care, music-based interventions probably lead to slight improvements in depressive symptoms and may reduce overall behavioural problems. However, evidence regarding benefits for agitation, emotional well-being, cognition, and long-term effects remains limited or uncertain.

These findings suggest that while music therapy can offer some benefits for people with dementia, further high-quality research is needed to fully understand its impact.

Read the full review: Cochrane Library – Music-Based Therapeutic Interventions for People with Dementia

Resource of the Month

The Cochrane Library

The Cochrane Library is a collection of high-quality independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making.

The Cochrane library promotes evidence-informed health decision-making by producing high-quality, relevant, accessible systematic reviews and other synthesized research evidence.

Their work is internationally recognised as the benchmark for high-quality information about the effectiveness of health care and is generally known as the ‘Gold Standard’ for systematic reviews.

Access the library here. For help with this please email the library team: academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk

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