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Date of Award
Spring 2020
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Renee Langstaff
Abstract
Dementia is a degenerative neurological disease affecting 3.4 million people worldwide. The symptoms of the disease are debilitating to the patient causing the eventual inability to care for oneself. The current mainstay of treatment is with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors which aim to slow the progression of the disease. However, not only do these medications cause multiple side effects negatively impacting the patient’s quality of life, but they are only at best shown to provide mild stabilization of cognition. Music therapy as a novel method of treatment without negative side effects, is an alternative option to pharmacological therapy. This paper will address the efficacy of music therapy (I), in contrast to the standard of care (C), in improving the quality of life (O) of older adults with dementia (P).
Recommended Citation
Krill, Cassandra, "Music Therapy in the Treatment of Dementia" (2020). Capstone Showcase. 50.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2020/pa/50
Music Therapy in the Treatment of Dementia
Dementia is a degenerative neurological disease affecting 3.4 million people worldwide. The symptoms of the disease are debilitating to the patient causing the eventual inability to care for oneself. The current mainstay of treatment is with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors which aim to slow the progression of the disease. However, not only do these medications cause multiple side effects negatively impacting the patient’s quality of life, but they are only at best shown to provide mild stabilization of cognition. Music therapy as a novel method of treatment without negative side effects, is an alternative option to pharmacological therapy. This paper will address the efficacy of music therapy (I), in contrast to the standard of care (C), in improving the quality of life (O) of older adults with dementia (P).