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Date of Award

Spring 2023

Degree Name

Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)

Department

Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences

First Advisor

Lisa Akselrad PA-C MSPAS

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the world and a growing public health problem. AD is a progressive neurological disorder which often manifests with increasing memory loss and decrease in cognitive abilities and ultimately results in death. AD also commonly leads to changes in mood, personality and behavior which worsen throughout the course of the disease. The exact pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s is unknown but leading theories characterize the disease as the accumulation of amyloid β plaques and tau tangles in the brain. Common medications focus solely on symptomatic treatment of the cognitive manifestations of AD although treatment for neuropsychiatric symptoms often becomes necessary as the disease progresses. Antipsychotics are commonly used for agitation and aggressive behavior but have only demonstrated minor symptom control while increasing the risk of falls, stroke and death. With the lack of treatment options for the behavioral symptoms of AD patients, music therapy (MT) is one adjunct intervention that has been a growing subject of research. Music therapy is a safe and accessible intervention that has demonstrated temporary improvement in mood and decreased behavioral disturbances for patients with AD consistently in research studies. While MT research has shown promise, many of the studies have limitations and further research is needed to provide more reliable evidence of the benefits of the intervention.

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Music Therapy as an Adjunct Intervention in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the world and a growing public health problem. AD is a progressive neurological disorder which often manifests with increasing memory loss and decrease in cognitive abilities and ultimately results in death. AD also commonly leads to changes in mood, personality and behavior which worsen throughout the course of the disease. The exact pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s is unknown but leading theories characterize the disease as the accumulation of amyloid β plaques and tau tangles in the brain. Common medications focus solely on symptomatic treatment of the cognitive manifestations of AD although treatment for neuropsychiatric symptoms often becomes necessary as the disease progresses. Antipsychotics are commonly used for agitation and aggressive behavior but have only demonstrated minor symptom control while increasing the risk of falls, stroke and death. With the lack of treatment options for the behavioral symptoms of AD patients, music therapy (MT) is one adjunct intervention that has been a growing subject of research. Music therapy is a safe and accessible intervention that has demonstrated temporary improvement in mood and decreased behavioral disturbances for patients with AD consistently in research studies. While MT research has shown promise, many of the studies have limitations and further research is needed to provide more reliable evidence of the benefits of the intervention.