Emory researchers study music’s impact on dementia patients

Researchers at Emory University have been working with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Performance Hypothesis to explore the ways music impacts patients with dementia. 

Dr. Monica Parker works for Emory’s Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. She told Georgia Public Broadcasting that their research shows music improves mood and behavior and helps people with cognitive impairment perform daily activities.

“We invited all of our participants last year to the symphony, and they had such a great experience, we decided we would try to see how this might help persons living with dementia,” Parker said.

The group of researchers and community organizations is a new collaboration called Arts + Health Laboratory: Georgia’s NeuroArts Coalition, which was announced in October by the Woodruff Arts Center.

It was recently awarded $200,000 by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to advance their research.

“What is missing is greater study and quantification of what kind of music, what music, what dose is appropriate,” Parker said.