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.

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The aim of Japan Society of Music and Medicine is to establish and spread medical music therapy as one of the rehabilitation methods. We operate annual meeting, online journal "Music and Medicine", home page, and mailing list. According to the Cochrane Library, the number of reviews referring to music therapy is increasing and some of them evaluated music therapy as one of the alternative therapy for patients. To provide effective music therapy continuously, music therapists need to be employed in clinics and hospitals stably and standard methods and indication of music therapy should be established. For that purpose, we are planning to publish some books about medical music therapy and music therapy.

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Today, music therapy is often used in clinical settings, community centers, senior centers, nursing homes, and school settings. In the healthcare setting, studies show the effectiveness of the music therapy interventions on different patient needs. In fact, research indicates that music therapy is effective in improving patients' symptoms. However, music therapists have not yet established standard programs of music therapy for specific diseases or symptoms. Additionally, it is necessary to set up standard assessment tools and valid tests for documentation. In this paper, the presenter will present a case study of a stroke patient in Tohoku University Hospital. Information on the patient's music therapy program and assessment tools will be provided.

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In this symposium, experts discussed and exchanged opinions about the need for music therapy in the medical field from different points of view. In addition, the audience participated by using a keypad to record their response (analyzer) to express their opinion. This audience response system showed the audience’s opinion spontaneously at the site. The presenter also introduced the current state of and trends in music therapy in the medical field in foreign countries. Furthermore, the presenter expressed the importance of including music therapy in medical care in Japan.

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Music therapy was performed for infants with hearing loss by the interdisciplinary medical and educational staffs at the outpatient clinic in Saitama Prefectural Medical Center for Children. Based on the observation of infants and the questionnaire to their parents, music therapy is important to provide parent-child communication through auditory play and cognition since parents were informed about hearing loss.

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When considering a hurdle for music therapy to serve as a state qualification, we need to think based on a financial situation of Japan. The financial situation of our country is in a very difficult situation. Considering the severe financial situation of our country, the persons involved in music therapy need to act together and to advertize the following points.・ why support of the country is required・ why although support of the country was unnecessary until now, support of a country is needed after this. The persons involved in music therapy are advertizing this necessity to people objective. And the music therapy needs to survive competition of severe prioritization compared with other treatments.

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