Just graduated from graduate school, I did my first internship at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, DC
Center (DC VAMC).The rotation takes place in the nursing room of the nursing home, where VAMC played amazing music and action
therapist.The therapist used to be a professional dancer until a car accident at the end of his career.
Dementia group. The residents in the group are completely introverted; each patient is in his or her own world,
Disconnect from each other.
The connection between music and the brain
In the past—and still is—at a critical moment in my life and career, the therapist put on music.The music rang
At first, a gentleman stood up and started waltzing with the therapist.The two waltzed for the whole song
The music ended and the residents returned to their seats. He immediately curled up in his body.No matter what the music is
As soon as the song ended, the release in his body seemed to disappear.
It was at this moment that I first understood the strong connection between the brain and music; there were very few activities to stimulate
The brain is like music, because music travels along different paths instead of other forms of communication.Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow said: “Music is the universal language of mankind”-I often think of this sentence in my speeches.
Occupation as a licensed clinical psychologist. Music can have a huge impact on healthy aging-most importantly,
Human cognitive health.Even for our elderly population, music can have a significant positive impact on health
Physically and emotionally.
Music is a good medicine without side effects
Music can be the best medicine. Unlike almost any other medicine, it has no adverse side effects.It has proven
The ability to reduce stress (cortisol) levels, change and improve mood, increase motivation and productivity levels, and
Connect us to social. Research also shows 1 Music has the effect of lowering blood
Stress reduces anxiety, reduces our perception of pain, and improves sleep quality, mood, alertness and memory.
You can also listen to music and play music Increase2 The body produces antibodies immunoglobulin A and
Natural killer cells-cells that attack invading viruses and improve the effectiveness of the immune system.
Even for young and healthy people, the “memory playlist” includes meaningful songs from childhood, adolescence, and adolescence.
Adulthood can benefit a person’s cognitive health in the long term.To develop a memory playlist, please study popular songs
During certain periods in your life, choose those periods that resonate most with certain memories.
related information: The healing power of music in the life of a doctor
It is also important and beneficial to listen to new music and styles in addition to the normal listening choices; like any
In other activities, just listening to a few songs will not create the same growth opportunities.New music
Creates cognitive challenges that familiar music doesn’t have–and strangeness forces our brains to work hard
Understand new sounds and rhythms.
The connection between music and cognitive health
The human brain is closely related to music.Music attracts the brain in a unique and powerful way and provides
“Exercise” is different from any other activity.Music is fascinating because it is complicated, it can mine memory and brain
A way that few other things can be done.
For example, the ability to listen to rhythm and recognize music patterns requires different skills than ours.
The brain has almost more activity than any other. As a researcher at Johns Hopkins University pointed out3, “Music is
Structure, mathematics and architecture. It is based on the relationship between one note and the next.You may not be
Aware of this, but your brain must perform a lot of calculations to understand it. ”
Music and memory
For all of us, music can have a powerful impact on memory and stimulate strong emotional responses.For the elderly-even
Those with cognitive challenges and deficiencies-music can trigger memories that cannot be obtained by other means.
Music can also increase cognitive processing speed. research shows4 Listen or sing songs can provide
Emotional and behavioral benefits for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
Musical memory is usually preserved in Alzheimer’s disease because the key brain areas related to musical memory are
Relatively unaffected by disease.In these patients-just like any other person-music can relieve stress and
Reduce anxiety, depression and excitement.Similar benefits are Seen in stroke patients5: Music therapy helps to regulate emotions,
Improve concentration, change the brain to improve function (neural reorganization).Music can even cause
The physical benefits include improved arm function and gait.
Music and an aging population
Although music is good for people of all ages, it is a key but often overlooked tool for our aging population.
Like anyone, music can help recall iconic memories, and revisiting these memories is very beneficial for brain health.
There are also apps and programs that allow older people to test new musical instruments-such as playing the piano,
E.g. When residents of long-term care facilities have the opportunity to try and learn new things,
Not only helps to solve the challenges of boredom and isolation, but increased exposure is also good for the brain
slightly different.
related information: Science illuminates the evolution of music and languageelectronic
From one long-term care facility to another long-term care facility, incorporating music into residents’ daily activities can
Each is different.Even during the pandemic, some facility activity directors were more proactive and played music for residents
Music guests are not allowed on site.Now that the COVID-19 pandemic has finally subsided in the United States, many
Long-term care institutions are bringing back musical performance guests for their residents.
Playing music in other activities-e.g.
Puzzle or manicure,
For example-can even have a positive impact
Regarding residents’ well-being, participation and cognitive health.
Music for the elderly
In order to increase the elderly’s exposure to music, some organizations-for example Music and memory6 – Help promote music access for the elderly
nursing home.There are also many ways to volunteer and donate to the elderly-especially those who
Low-income people who cannot buy on their own-get more music through smartphones,
Tablet or radio.
refer to
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Use music to keep your brain young, healthy. Johns Hopkins Medicine.
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Amy Novotny. Music is like medicine, American Psychological Association. November 2013, Volume 44, Number 10.
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Use music and health to keep your brain young. Johns Hopkins Medicine. healthy
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Can music help people with Alzheimer’s disease? Mayo Clinic
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Music therapy helps stroke patients, Science Daily, March 2020.
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Music and memory. https://musicandmemory.org
Eden Brown, PhD in Psychology
website:
https://www.medielecare.com/
Dr. Eden Brown Is a licensed clinical psychologist. She won MS and Psy.D. Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology.
She is currently the clinical director of MediTelecare, where she provides behavioral telemedicine services specializing in trauma and health psychology.
In addition to her current position at MediTelecare, she also has extensive clinical experience, including:
• 12 years of private practice
• Worked at the VA Medical Center in Washington, DC for 5 years, where she served as a psychologist in the combat trauma team and as the deputy director of the internship program.
• 4 years of teaching clinical courses in postgraduate courses
Some of her other interests include writing, playing music and cooking.
