A case of dementia with rejective attitude successfully treated with musi therapy

Abstract

An 90–year–old man with 10–year history of dementia due to Alzheimer disease admitted to our hospital because of severe hear failure. He had been prescribed donepezil hydrochloride for about ten years. He once was a member of domestic chorus group for his pleasure. After his admission he underwent non–invasive positive pressure ventilation management along with multidisciplinary treatment in the intensive care unit where he developed delirium. Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, risperidone and eszopiclone relief his symptom only partially, thereafter he refused eating and his circadian rhythm deteriorated. Daily session of singing songs that he used sing previously was added to the standard rehabilitation program three times a week. After one week active and initiative attitude were recovered and after one month his ABC–Dementia Scale indicated improvement from 50 point to 60 point, then he discharged to his home. The efficacy of music therapy, one of non–drug therapies, is not yet proven. However it might be an effective intervention against behavioral and psychological symptom of dementia. Further investigation is warranted to gain scientific evidence of musictherapy.