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. |
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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