Singing show tunes helps fight off dementia

A recent research study found that those suffering from moderate to severe dementia did particularly well singing show tunes from movies and musicals such as 'The Wizard of Oz,' 'The Sound of Music' and 'Oklahoma!' in group settings and had a marked improvement in their remembering skills versus those who simply listened during the sing-alongs. 
BY  DAVID HARDING,  NEW YORK DAILY NEWS (Tuesday, November 12, 2013, 8:01 AM)

Julie Andrews from ‘The Sound of Music.’ Researchers found singing along
with show tunes helped with dementia.

The hills are alive with the sound of music, which could help people with Alzheimer's stave off the effects of the debilitating disease. 

A study by U.S. scientists has shown that the brain function of those suffering from dementia can be improved if they belt out their favorite show tunes. 

Researchers working with elderly residents at an East Coast care home found in a four-month long study found that people who sang their favorite songs showed a marked improvement compared to those who just listened. Among the songs sung during 50-minute sessions were hits from "The Wizard of Oz," "Oklahoma!" and "The Sound of Music." 

The most improvement was among those sufferers with moderate to severe dementia.

Jane Flinn, one of the scientists involved in the study who works at George Mason University in Virginia, concluded singing was beneficial.

“Even when people are in the fairly advanced stages of dementia, when it is so advanced they are in a secure ward, singing sessions were still helpful,” she said.

“The message is: don't give up on these people. You need to be doing things that engage them, and singing is cheap, easy and engaging.”

A scene from the musical ‘Oklahoma!’ Seniors who participated in a show tunes
sing-along showed improvement in their memory skills.

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