Music Therapy and Older Adults' Health

Polyfon's knowledge summaries are designed to meet the information needs of services and service users. Gain an overview of national guidelines, research evidence, user experiences, clinical practice and implementation. You will also find relevant resources and links, including information about research activities in the field.

Music and the Health Challenges Faced by Older Adults

The health needs of older adults can be complex and multifaceted. Many people experience dementia or other neurodegenerative conditions that may lead to cognitive decline and a range of related challenges. Older adults may also face mental health difficulties, including substance use problems, anxiety and depression. More generally, many have a strong need for social contact, stimulation and meaningful participation.

In recent years, both in Norway and internationally, increasing attention has been paid to the potential of music therapy as a valuable approach to addressing many of these challenges. There is growing interest in the use of music and music therapy with older adults among policymakers, healthcare professionals, service users, family caregivers and others involved in health and care services.

This knowledge summary first outlines the dual role of music therapists as reflected in the National Guideline on Dementia and in Norwegian music therapy practice. It then explores what music therapy may involve in practice, with particular emphasis on person-centred and community-oriented approaches, before presenting key findings from research on outcomes and effectiveness. Finally, it provides an overview of music therapy education in Norway and highlights current research in the field.

Throughout this knowledge summary, we use the term music therapy and older adults' health rather than music therapy and elder care, as it better reflects the full range of health-related music therapy practices led by qualified music therapists. These range from health-promoting initiatives, such as dementia choirs, to specialised music therapy interventions within geriatric psychiatry and other healthcare settings.

Get an overview of music therapy and older adults' health

National guidelines

Guidelines

The University of Bergen (UiB) and the Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH) educate qualified music therapists with expertise in working with older adults. In Norway, as in most other European countries, professional qualification as a music therapist requires a Master's degree in music therapy.

The National Guideline on Dementia (IS-2658) describes the role of the music therapist as twofold. Music therapists provide specialised support for individuals and groups with the greatest needs, while also serving as a resource for the wider organisation by offering training and guidance to other healthcare professionals:

“A music therapist may provide guidance and training for healthcare staff in the use of music as an environmental and therapeutic intervention, help identify individual music preferences together with patients and/or family members, and work directly with patients who have specific needs.”

This description reflects a growing focus on the use of music as part of a holistic approach to health and care for older adults. In practice, this may include training healthcare staff to use singing as a means of communication and emotional regulation during personal care activities. Increasingly, music therapists also act as advisers in the development of services for older adults living at home who may experience reduced quality of life or require additional support and assistance.

Effects of music therapy

Summary

Research on music therapy in services for older adults, particularly dementia care, shows that music therapy can have a positive impact on health and well-being. Reported benefits include increased participation in everyday life, reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, and the creation of meaningful moments that foster enjoyment, energy and trust. Music therapy may also promote relaxation, support social interaction and relationships, and contribute positively to a range of factors associated with quality of life.

Music therapy can reduce
  • agitation
  • the use of medication
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • behavioural and psychological symptoms
Music therapy can improve
  • quality of life
  • social relationships
  • mood and emotional well-being
  • memory
  • attention

 

The strongest evidence for the effects of music therapy relates to symptoms of depression. The evidence for its impact on behavioural and psychological symptoms is more limited.

The long-term effects remain uncertain, highlighting the need for further research. It can also be argued that music should be available as an ongoing health resource rather than a short-term intervention that is later withdrawn.

Most documented benefits are short-term effects, as relatively few high-quality studies have examined long-term outcomes.

There is currently limited research on music therapy for older adults living independently in the community.

Selected systematic reviews published since 2013

The number of international studies and systematic reviews on music therapy and older adults' health has grown considerably in recent years. Among these, the following Cochrane Review is generally regarded as one of the most influential contributions to the evidence base:

  • van der Steen, J.T., van der Wouden, J.C., Methley, A.M., Smaling, H.J.A., Vink, A.C., Bruinsma, M.S. (2025). Music‐based therapeutic interventions for people with dementia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2025, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD003477. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003477.pub5. 


The following list includes selected evidence reviews published since 2013:

  • Archie, P., Bruera, E. & Cohen, L. (2013). Music-based interventions in palliative cancer care: a review of quantitative studies and neurobiological literature. Support Care Cancer, 21(9), s. 2609–24.
  • Bradt., J., Dileo, C., Magill, L. & Teague, A. (2016). Music interventions for improving psychological and physical outcomes in cancer patients. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD006911. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006911.pub3
  • Elliott, M. & Gardner, P. (2018). The role of music in the lives of older adults with dementia ageing in place: A scoping review. Dementia, 17, s. 199–213.
  • Fakhoury, N., Wilhelm, N., Sobota, K.F. & Kroustos, K.R. (2017). Impact of music therapy on dementia behaviors: A literature review. Consult. Pharm., 32, s. 623–628.
  • Fusar-Poli, L., Bieleninik, L., Brondino, N., Chen, X.J. & Gold, C. (2017). The effect of music therapy on cognitive functions in patients with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Aging Ment. Health, s. 1–10.
  • Ing-Randolph, A.R., Phillips, L.R. & Williams, A.B. (2015). Group music interventions for dementia-associated anxiety: A systematic review. Int. J. Nurs. Stud., 52, s. 1775–1784.
  • Livingston, G., Kelly, L., Lewis-Holmes, E., Baio, G., Morris, S., Patel, N., . . . Cooper, C. (2014). A systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of sensory, psychological and behavioural interventions for managing agitation in older adults with dementia. Health Technology Assessment, 18(39), 1-226. doi: 10.3310/hta18390
  • McDermott, O., Crellin, N., Ridder, H. M. O. & Orrell, M. (2013). Music therapy in dementia: a narrative synthesissystematic review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28(8), 781-794. doi: 10.1002/gps.3895
  • Pedersen, S.K.A., Andersen, P.N., Lugo, R.G., Andreassen, M. & Sütterlin, S. (2017). Effects of music on agitation in dementia: A Meta-Analysis. Front. Psychol., 8, s. 742.
  • Tsoi, K.K.F., Chan, J.Y.C., Ng, Y.M., Lee, M.M.Y., Kwok, T.C.Y. & Wong, S.Y.S. (2018). Receptive music therapy is more effective than interactive music therapy to relieve behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Am. Med. Dir. Assoc. 19(7), s. 568-576.e3.
  • Zhang, Y., Cai, J., An, L., Hui, F., Ren, T., Ma, H. & Zhao, Q. (2017). Does music therapy enhance behavioral and cognitive function in elderly dementia patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ageing Res. Rev., 35, s. 1–11.


Note: Different meta-analyses have produced somewhat different findings, including with regard to whether music therapy has a positive effect on agitation. This partly reflects methodological challenges within the research field, as not all studies clearly define the intervention being evaluated (music therapy versus other music-based interventions). As a result, comparisons across studies can be difficult and findings may be less consistent. The following publications discuss these challenges and their implications for music therapy research:

Selected outcome studies from the nordic context

Most outcome studies have been conducted outside the Nordic countries. However, a number of studies are based on music therapy practice in Scandinavian contexts:

  • Elefant, C., Baker, F.A., Lotan, M., Lagesen, S.K. & Skeie, G.O. (2012). The effect of group music therapy on speech, and singing in individuals with Parkinson´s disease – a feasibility study. Journal of Music Therapy, 49(3), s. 278-302.
  • Kvamme, T. S. (2013). Glimt av glede: Musikkterapi med demensrammede som har symptomer på depresjon og angst (Doktorgradsavhandling, Norges musikkhøgskole, Oslo). 
  • Ridder, H. M. O., Stige, B., Qvale, L. G. & Gold, C. (2013). Individual music therapy for agitation in dementia: an exploratory randomized controlled trial. Aging & Mental Health, 17(6), 667-678. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2013.790926

 

Practice and implementation

Person-centred and community-oriented practice

In services for older adults, music therapists commonly work within a person-centred approach (Kitwood, 1997), combined with a resource-oriented and community-oriented perspective (Stige & Ridder, 2016). This involves meeting each individual as a whole person and addressing their psychosocial needs. The aim is to see the person beyond the illness and to focus on the individual's strengths and resources. Service user involvement and the development of an equal and collaborative therapeutic relationship are central to the therapeutic process. A person-centred approach also involves understanding the individual within a broader social context and helping to create a supportive psychosocial environment that promotes dignity and personhood.

Music therapy is carried out through musical interaction. This may involve singing familiar songs, listening to music, playing instruments together, improvising, composing music, or dancing. Throughout the therapeutic process, the music therapist's sensitivity to the use of music is essential, as individuals may respond to music in very different ways. Music can evoke both positive and difficult emotions and memories, and music therapists are trained to work with these responses in a safe and supportive manner. This includes using music to support emotional regulation and emotional communication.

Music therapists working in residential or healthcare settings typically participate in multidisciplinary meetings and other collaborative forums to ensure coordination with other treatments and day-to-day care. They also frequently collaborate with people and organisations outside the institution, including family members, volunteers and local cultural initiatives.

Music therapy methods

Direct Work with Individuals and Groups
  • Knardal, S. E. & Hynninen, M. (2016). Musikkterapi i alderspsykiatrien: utredning og behandling. I: B. Stige & H. M. Ridder (Red.). Musikkterapi og eldrehelse (s. 120-132). Oslo: Universitetsforlaget.
  • Kvamme, T. (2020). Å finne tonen - om musikk og demens. Forlaget Aldring og helse.
  • Schmid, W. & Skrudland, H. (2016). Musikkterapi i palliativ omsorg. I: Stige, B. & Ridder, H.M. (red). Musikkterapi og eldrehelse. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget, s. 177-186.
  • Stige, B. & Ridder, H. M. O. (Red.). (2016). Musikkterapi og eldrehelse. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget.
  • Stige, B. (red.) (2014). Ressurshefte basert i prosjektet «Musikk og eldre 2008-2014». Bergen: GAMUT – Griegakademiets senter for musikkterapiforsking (Universitetet i Bergen og Uni Research Helse).
Indirect work with systems and care environments
Home-based practice
Case studies
  • Knardal, S. E. (2017). «Eg har så vondt i dag, eg orkar ingenting!». I: T. Næss & E. Ruud (Red.). Musikkterapi i praksis (s. 63-66). Oslo: NMH, Senter for forskning i musikk og helse (CREMAH).
  • Kvamme, T. (2020). Å finne tonen - om musikk og demens. Forlaget Aldring og helse.
  • Stige, B. (2010). Del 9 i: B. Stige, G. Ansdell, C. Elefant & M. Pavlicevic (Red.). Where music helps: Community music therapy in action and reflection (s. 245-274). England: Ashgate Publishing Limited.
Theoretical perspectives
  • Kitwood, T. (1997). Dementia reconsidered: The person comes first. Buckingham: Open University Press.
  • Pavlicevic, M., Tsiris, G., Wood, S., Powell, H., Graham, J., Sanderson, R., . . . Gibson, J. (2015). The «ripple effect»: Towards researching improvisational music therapy in dementia care homes. Dementia, 14(5), 659-679. 
  • Ridder, H. M. (2016). Musik i et personcentreret perspektiv. I: B. Stige & H. M. O. Ridder (red.). Musikkterapi og eldrehelse (s. 38-44). Oslo: Universitetsforlaget.
  • Rolvsjord, R. (2010). Resource-oriented music therapy in mental health care. NH: Barcelona: Gilsum, NH.
  • Stige, B. & Ridder, H. M. (2016). Fagutvikling i praksis. I: B. Stige & H. M. O. Ridder (Red.). Musikkterapi og eldrehelse (s. 234-238). Oslo: Universitetsforlaget.

Relevant links

Videos on music therapy and older adults' health

Ein smakebit av informasjonsvideoen Lyden av liv

Bestilling av Lyden av liv (gratis for institusjonar)

Music therapy programmes in Norway

Additional educational opportunities are also available at bachelor's and PhD level. See:

  • Polyfon’s overview of educational programmes in music therapy and music and health

Ongoing research projects

Researchers in Norway working on music therapy and older adults' health

The research centres GAMUT at the University of Bergen/NORCE and CREMAH at the Norwegian Academy of Music contribute to the international research frontier in this field.

Researchers welcome enquiries regarding lectures, information, or potential collaboration on research related to music therapy and substance use services.

Polyfon Knowledge Cluster for Music Therapy

  • builds collaboration between academia, services and programmes, and service users
  • strengthens collaboration around music as a health resource
  • works to ensure that music therapy is accessible to everyone who needs it

The collaboration is national in scope, and organisations and individuals from across Norway are welcome to participate.

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About this knowledge description

The first version of this knowledge summary was written in the summer of 2017 by Camilla Hay, in collaboration with Monika Geretsegger (external link), Researcher II at NORCE, Frode Aass Kristiansen, Research and Development Adviser at the Municipality of Bergen, Wolfgang Schmid, Professor at the University of Bergen (UiB), and Brynjulf Stige, Professor at the University of Bergen (UiB) and Director of the Polyfon Knowledge Cluster for Music Therapy. Subsequent revisions have also benefited from valuable input from Katarina Lindblad, Associate Professor at NTNU.

This knowledge summary was funded by Polyfon through a summer scholarship programme for music therapy students.

This text is continuously being developed and updated.

Last updated: 9 May 2025.

Last updated: 07.10.2026