Abstract
We assessed the effects of music therapy in outpatients with juvenile Alzheimer's disease using Flash Song Therapy, a method of music therapy developed by the authors. In this method, patients sing their favorite songs one after another, so that quick changes of songs and rhythms stimulate their brains and bodies and fill them with pleasure and satisfaction. Eight patients with juvenile Alzheimer's disease (MMSE 0-23, average 10.5) were included in this study, and cognitive functions, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), ADL, QOL and caregiver burden were evaluated before and after 16 private sessions. The scores of BPSD and QOL improved significantly after the sessions, and some patients showed improvements in cognitive function. The tempo of gait tended to increase after each session. These results suggest that music therapy using Flash Song Therapy could be one means of clinical practice for outpatients with dementia.
