A-Z List


Annotated Journals

Dementia & Music Therapy

Language, memory, and aging. Leah Light, L. & Burke, B. (ed). (1988).
Call #: BF 724.85.M45L36 (Main Stacks).

This book considers the relation between language and memory in old age. The book emphasizes those aspects of language that are important for understanding memory in old age and those aspects of memory that are most heavily involved in language. Studies are provided which compare younger and older adults. Of particular interest are chapters 12 and 13. These chapters discuss impaired naming ability in Alzheimer’s Disease and relate it to a semantic deficit. Research is described that demonstrates patterns of language impairment in both normal aging and Alzheimer’s Disease that are unlike those found in aphasia. The overall goal of this book is to assist the reader to understand patterns of memory and language.
Aspects of Memory. Gruneberg, M., & Morris, P. (ed). (Vol. 1). (1992).
Call #: BF 371.A7 (Main Stacks).

This book explores the practical applications of memory to the ‘real world’. The topics discussed include the contributions made by psychology to forensic problems involving the validity of court-room evidence; brain damage and memory and aging; possible causes for and remediations for amnesia; normal aging problems and pathological conditions; normal memory facilitated by the use of various strategies; overcoming memory blocks; studying for examinations; and of greatest interest is the discussion on prospective and autobiographical memory. The discussion reveals that without the ability to recall one’s past history one’s place in the world is meaningless, actions have no context and personality ceases to exist. Finally, the book discusses current approaches to applied memory research.
Music therapy in context: Music, meaning, and relationship. Pavlicevic, M. (1997).
Call #: ML 3920.P288 (Main Stacks).

This book explores music theory and music psychology, in order to explore meaning in music as art form, in contrast to music as therapy. Chapters 7-9 are particularly interesting. These chapters explore the relationship between music and human emotion. The goals of chapters 7-9 are to establish why music is used as a therapeutic agent. The book also explores verbal meaning in music therapy and discusses the meaning inherent in a relationship whether it is musical, verbal, or silent. The book is beneficial to those exploring the theories that attempt to describe how music is used therapeutically.
Music involvement: Energy from our elders. Slabey, V. (1980).
Call #: ML 3920.S66 (Main Stacks).

The purpose of the book is to encourage the reader to act now and make changes as soon as possible because tomorrow may be too late. The book serves as an initiator for the reader to discover the special facets in the people with whom we come in contact. To facilitate and encourage the reader, the book provides examples of therapeutic music application in nursing home settings and supports these ideas with anecdotal stories.
Dementia and aging: Ethics, values, and policy choices. Binstock, R. H., Post, S. G., & Whitehouse, P. J. (eds.). (1992).
Call #: RC 524.D44 (Main Stacks).

The book recognizes that despite progress in our understanding of dementia we will not have solutions very soon. Therefore, we must confront political, economic, moral, ethical and personal questions, which often ignore those diagnosed with dementia. The book describes why patients diagnosed with dementia are often forgotten in our priorities. Therefore, the book is intended for a broad audience interested in the personal, familial, and societal issues posed by dementia and the care of its victims. The discussion in chapter ten was of particular interest to me. Chapter 10 discusses the allocation of priorities in the care of elderly people. The chapter assists the novice music therapy student with understanding the implications that music may offer in an arena of scarce resources, bias, limits on health care expenditures, and priorities aimed toward younger generations.
Music therapy in the treatment of adults with mental disorders. Unkefer, R. F. (Ed). (1990).
Call #: ML 3920.M899 (Main Stacks).

The book details a theoretical position of Music Therapy. It describes factors impacting on levels of Music Therapy interventions and gives a taxonomy of Music Therapy techniques with detailed descriptions of specific techniques and interventions. Adult mental disorders are outlined. The main idea of the book is that both language and music are forms of communication processed by the auditory system. They have structural similarities in terms of pitch, duration, stress, and listener expectations. The book describes how music communicates human needs and values when words no longer suffice.
Music involvement in nursing homes. Slabey, V. (1985).
Call #: ML 3920.S52 (Main Stacks).

The book describes music as a functional part of the lives of elderly adults. The book explains that active appreciation for song, verse, and for music does not diminish along with other areas of human activity as one progresses in age. Part one
explains and provides suggestions for music involvement as a communication skill with nursing home residents. Part two provides examples of music activities and songs that can be used each month of the year. Finally, part three discusses causes of depression in elderly and gives suggestions about starting a nursing home music involvement program.
Dementia and communication. Rosemary Lubinski R. (Ed). (1995).
Call #: RC 521.D46 (Main Stacks).

This book addresses the need for education on age related dementing diseases. Information on the epidemiology, neurology, neuropsychology, and neurolinguistics of dementia is provided. Emphasis is placed on the neurobehavioral deficit of communication impairments. Also included are diagnostic and intervention strategies in both audiology and speech language pathology. Functional communication skills during the stages of dementia are examined. The information provided is user friendly for health care workers, families, and patients. This is a good resource for music therapists who work with clients who have dementia.
When memory fails. Edwards, A. J. (1994).
Call #: RC 521.E43 (Main Stacks)

The purpose of this book is to inform the general public about present knowledge of causes, effects, and treatments concerning dementia. It is also meant to assist those who live with the dementia patients to understand what and why events are happening, and to offer applicable interventions. Overall, the book attempts to provide constructive ways to deal with the behaviors that caregivers will encounter. It is a useful tool for music therapists.

Carruth, E. K. (1997). The effects of singing and the spaced retrieval technique on improving face-name recognition in nursing home residents with memory loss. Journal of Music Therapy. 34, 3. 165-186.
Call #: UWEC: (Unbound Journals).

This study examined the effects of singing and the spaced retrieval technique on the naming abilities of nursing home residents with memory loss. Participants in the study included seven females with primary diagnosis of dementia, senile dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. An ABA experimental design was used with data indicating that music therapy is a good resource to improve the naming abilities of some nursing home residents with memory loss.

Clair, A. A., & Ebberts, A. G. (1997). The effects of music therapy on interactions between family caregivers and their care receivers with late stage dementia. Journal of Music Therapy. 34, 3. 148-164.
Call #: (Unbound Journals).


This study examines the effects of music therapy programming on participation engagement frequencies of family caregivers and their late stage dementia care receivers. Data was obtained on frequencies of initiated and responsive touch by caregivers and care receivers. The study also assessed caregivers’ perceptions of depression, burden, positive and negative affect, self-reported health, and satisfaction with visits through a pretest-posttest procedure. The study found that caregivers’ engagements in participations were higher in music applications than when compared to conversations. It also found that care receivers had greatest participation during rhythm playing. Caregivers initiated touch more frequently than their care receivers did, but care receivers were more responsive to touch than were their caregivers. The final data reported that caregivers experienced increased satisfaction with visits in music therapy as compared to visits before music therapy.
Thomas, D. W., Heitman, R. J., & Alexander, T. (1997). The effects of music on bathing cooperation for residents with dementia. Journal of Music Therapy. 34, 4. 246-259.
Call #: (Unbound Journals).

The study evaluated the effects of music on bathing cooperation among a group of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The nursing staff selected a convenience sample that demonstrated resistance to bathing and a premorbid interest in music as disclosed by a family member. A quasi-experimental design was used. The results of the data analysis showed no significant differences among the dependent variable of hiding/hoarding, nonaggressive behavior and verbally agitated behavior. However, significance was found with the independent variable of aggressive behavior. The results of the study show that the discretionary use of music may delay the onset of more severe forms of agitation. Overall, by reducing the physical aggressiveness of patients with dementia, the patient’s quality of life may increase along with job satisfaction among primary care providers.
Brotons, M., Koger, S. M., & Pickett-Cooper, P. (1997). Music and dementias: a review of literature. Journal of Music Therapy. 34, 4. 204-245.
Call #: (Unbound Journals).

This paper provides a review of literature published in the area of music/music therapy and dementias from 1985-1996. Research outcomes were categorized, coded, and summarized in order to outline recommendations for use in clinical practice and in future research. Results of the studies analyzed show that music/music therapy is an effective intervention to maintain and improve active involvement, social, emotional and cognitive skills, and to decrease behavior problems of individuals with dementias.

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