practical living
to music and tap to music, and this can help
us with timing and motor movement, which
is common in problems such as Parkinson’s
disease, but also in dementia. The fifth factor
is that it’s highly emotional and this seems to
maybe stimulate plasticity – brain rewiring
itself in response to damage – and it also
can improve wellbeing and bring up a range
of emotions. Another factor is that it’s highly
engaging, so it can distract away from some
discomforts associated with neurological
conditions and focus our attention.
Finally, it’s persuasive. We tend to be
convinced by things associated with
music, and that’s why music is used in
the film industry, why it’s used in political
campaigns. That’s also why it’s associated
with religion, and if we’re persuaded by
treatments, we tend to engage in them
with much more motivation.
Amee, you discussed one feature in
depth, which was that music is personal,
and you focused on memory there. You
also spoke about your current research
project, ‘Can Music Mend Minds?’ What
is that exploring?
AB: We’re doing a few projects under that
title. [For one,] we’re interested in how
music can stimulate personal memories for
people. There’s not been much research
into the difference between music and
other types of stimuli, like photos or
objects, and whether music is more
efficient at stimulating memory, so that’s
one of our projects. Another one that
we’re just starting up now is developing a
group-based music program, which we’ve
called the ‘triple M’ program – music, mind
and movement. It’s based on Bill’s seven
attributes. We’re hoping to have a groupbased music program we can deliver to
aged-care facilities that’s based on those
seven attributes and will benefit [residents].
Where should research head next?
AB: There are many opportunities for
music research. [For example,] there have
201610-11_Procura_Clinical_Care_Ad_Half_Page_v1_FINAL_.indd 1
been some studies showing that playing a
musical instrument can decrease your risk
of developing dementia, and that needs
to be looked at more thoroughly. Another
thing we’re interested in looking at is the
relationship between music, memory and
the self. There have been many anecdotal
references to music bringing people
back to themselves, but there isn’t much
empirical research looking at how music
does this. If it does, we’d like to look at how
music enhances your sense of self.
In what ways can music be incorporated
into care services right now?
AB: There are many. One [we saw at the
forum was] the playing of playlists on
iPods. But another important way is group
activities, so you can tap into that social
aspect of music. There is also live music.
Many different ways are available, [which
is why] we’re hoping to develop a program
that can be used in care facilities. ■
11/10/2016 3:41 PM
agedcareinsite.com.au
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