Effects of music on Alzheimer patients.

From a large nursing care facility, 60 elderly patients diagnosed as having Alzheimer disease were randomly separated into three groups of equal size and given tests to measure their mood and mental state. For music Group 1, "Big Band" music from the 1920s and 1930s was played during their daily recreation period while Group 2 were given puzzle exercises during their activity sessions. Members of Group 3 participated in the standard recreational activities of drawing and painting. After six months, the questionnaire was again given to all participants. Analysis of variance showed the individuals in Group 1 were more alert, happier, and had higher recall of past personal history than patients in the other two groups. This suggests that music can be of therapeutic value to Alzheimer patients.