Dr. Yang Yuan-Han has confirmed that music therapy can slow cognitive decline and enhance emotional stability.
Recent media reports suggest that music by American pop superstar Taylor Swift can evoke joyful memories in people with dementia, putting “music therapy” back in the spotlight. In response, Dr. Yang Yuan-Han, attending physician in Neurology at Kaohsiung Medical University Gangshan Hospital, noted that there is scientific evidence for music’s role in cognition and slowing decline in dementia. “What matters isn’t a particular artist,” he said, “but whether the selections connect with the patient’s life experiences and emotions.” He added that certain sound frequencies have also been shown to help delay cognitive decline and stabilize mood.
Dr. Yang, who currently serves as convener of the Dementia Research and Prevention Expert Panel at the National Health Research Institutes’ Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, explained that the therapeutic mechanisms of music for dementia operate on two levels: “content” and “melody/rhythm.” Song content relates to social context and ethnicity and can therefore resonate especially strongly within the same cultural background. In addition, some musical styles and frequencies transcend culture and ethnicity—for example, Mozart’s music has been used with dementia patients and has been shown to promote emotional stability.
The KMU system has conducted locally rooted research on music therapy since 2005—now spanning 20 years. Dr. Yang said earlier studies at KMU found that when healthy older adults listened to the Buddhist “Ocean Waves/ Six-Syllable Mantra (Om Mani Padme Hum)” for four months, cognitive decline was slowed and emotional stability improved; subsequent application of music therapy to people with dementia produced similar benefits.
To further investigate how music therapy improves outcomes in dementia, the KMU team collaborated with Delta Electronics to create “natural music” centered on a 40-hertz (Hz) frequency. Cell experiments showed this could reduce amyloid-beta deposition by 20%–30% and activate glial cells; related findings have been published in international journals.
Beyond the research cited above, Dr. Yang advised caregivers to play music that matches the patient’s formative years and life context—such as nostalgic oldies—or simply music the patient understands and enjoys. This approach can trigger deep emotions and memories and promote mood stability. He added that the KMU team is planning to release the 40-Hz “natural music” so more people can benefit.
On September 10, at the National Health Research Institutes’ launch of the White Paper on Dementia Risk-Factor Management in Taiwan,
Dr. Yang Yuan-Han proposed the “Five Brain-Protection Guidelines” to help delay the onset of dementia.
Regarding the latest treatments for early-stage dementia, Dr. Yang noted that since September, two patients at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital have begun monoclonal antibody therapy, which is costly. He emphasized that such drug therapy should be combined with non-pharmacological interventions and care—such as music and related physical modalities—as low-cost, side-effect-free adjuncts that are poised to play an increasingly important role in dementia care.