Australian scientists are developing an application to utilize music therapy in the treatment of patients with dementia.
Professor Felicity Baker at the Center for Music Therapy Research and Creative Arts, University of Melbourne, believes that music is an invaluable therapy that provides long-term memories for patients suffering from dementia. Listening to familiar songs can help individuals become more engaged with their surroundings and connect with family members through meaningful musical experiences.
Music is an invaluable therapy that provides long-term memories for patients suffering from dementia. (Image: freepik.com).
Professor Baker stated that the new therapy method, called Music Attuned Technology – Care via eHealth (MATCH), is designed to stimulate recall, manage states of excitement, reduce the severity of challenging behaviors, alleviate depression, and improve mood. The application will come with programs guiding family caregivers on how to use music to help reduce memory loss symptoms in their loved ones, such as sudden feelings of confusion or unwarranted anger.
This application was developed after two clinical trials, which included one trial of music therapy for dementia patients at an elderly care facility and one guiding family members of dementia patients on how to support their loved ones with music therapy at home.
According to Professor Baker, in the final phase, the application will be connected to high-tech sensors attached to the bodies of dementia patients to detect behavioral changes, such as sudden anger. The sensors, operated by artificial intelligence (AI), will remember the behavioral patterns of patients to detect any sudden changes and trigger appropriate music to soothe their moods. Additionally, the tempo, genre, and volume of the music will be continuously adjusted to match the patient’s condition.
The research team working on MATCH is currently testing this new approach in various households across Australia and continues to develop accompanying sensors and AI technology. Scientists hope to implement the application in practice by 2023, with the sensor system set to launch in 2025.
