Beside pharmacological treatment, non-pharmacological interventions are a great deal of interest resides on ways that allow modulation of brain plasticity in the elderly. Music therapy is a potential non-pharmacological treatment for the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, but a few studies reported it to be helpful. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of structured musical intervention therapy in patient with cognitive decline.

The subjects of the study were a total of fifty elderly with cognitive decline (K-MMSE: 21±3.99, CDR: 0.80±0.38). The musical therapy was applied to the group twice a week, fifty minutes per session for eight weeks. The data were analyzed by using chi-square and paired t-test before and after musical intervention.

The study showed a significant reduction in depression and anxiety after musical therapy measured with short form-GDS and BDI ( p <0.001). Activities daily living (ADL) markedly improved after the all session of musical interventions ( p <0.001).

Group music therapy is a safe and effective method for treating depression and anxiety, and also improving ADL in patients with cognitive decline.