Why Music is So Therapeutic

Studies show that music therapy significantly improves memory recall and cognitive function in older adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s. A meta-analysis found that active and rhythmic music therapy yielded an average standardized improvement of around 0.6–0.8 in cognitive measures compared to usual care.

Moreover, music can access deep autobiographical memories—songs from the teen and young adult years often elicit strong, positive memories even in those with cognitive decline.