Music reminiscence in music therapy for elderly population: a scoping review of the literature

Abstract

The purpose of this scoping review was to summarize the specific music interventions and clinical goals utilized in music-based reminiscence for elderly population with and without neurocognitive disorders. Fourteen articles meeting the inclusion criteria were selected in this review. The results showed music-based reminiscence interventions were conducted by both music therapists and non-music therapists. Interventions implemented by music therapists showed a greater diversity based on numerous goal domains compared to non-music therapists. Music therapists assess various domains of health comprehensively, while other professionals mostly used music-based reminiscence intervention to address mainly the cognitive domain. The most frequently utilized music intervention to induce reminiscence were music listening and singing. The most commonly used specific music strategies include the use of familiar songs considering participants’ ages. However, the specific music strategies employed by music therapists tend to be more diverse, involving a variety of songs and the use of live music, which requires the musical skills of the music therapist. In conclusion, music-based reminiscence is a valuable intervention method with multiple benefits in the domains of quality of life, cognitive, and emotional well-being for the elderly population, both with and without neurocognitive disorders.