The benefits of music on dementia: Evidence from clinical trials

Abstract: The goal of my presentation is to illustrate how we can fill the gap between experimental findings and clinical applications in cognitive and emotional neurosciences. I will therefore report evidence from randomized clinical trials aiming at testing the effect of musical as compared to non-musical interventions on the emotional and behavioral status of patients with severe Alzheimer’s disease and mixed dementia. The promising potential for non-pharmacological treatments to improve the well-being of patients living in residential care will be discussed in light of the methodological constraints and requirements specific to these clinical studies.

Dr. Séverine Samson
University of Lille and La Salpêtrière Hospital (Paris) – Neuropsychology Team & Auditive Cognition