Page 101 - Demo

99Therapeutic music interventionPeople with diminished cognitive function experience difficulties in managing stress. These difficulties manifest as changes in individuals%u2019 behavioural and emotional states. Music is a non-verbal medium of communication and can especially benefit older adults struggling with verbal expression. For such individuals, music can help alleviate stress and distract from stressors. In fact, music intervention involving listening, singing or dancing to music is a helpful way to alleviate the behavioural and emotional symptoms of individuals living with dementia. A recent systematic review revealed that music intervention can de-escalate symptoms of agitation. There are various types of music intervention, but an active approach using music-with-movement techniques is notable for its ability to engage participants and yield positive effects. To promote therapeutic music intervention for the benefit of older adults with dementia, Dr Cheung led a team to modify conventional music-withmovement intervention using a novel AR-based system. This system has proven an effective way to alleviate the emotional and behavioural symptoms experienced by individuals living with dementia.MIND MATTERS