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Kaylee Godfrey
Mrs. DeBock
English 4 Honors
29 October 2015
Research Question: How does music therapy affect the elderly?
Working Thesis Statement: Music therapy helps the mood of the elderly.
Refined Thesis Statement: Music therapy helps increase the mood of the elderly and relieve
negative emotions and symptoms.
Annotated Bibliography
Eells, Karen. "The Use of Music and Singing to Help Manage Anxiety in Older Adults." Mental
Health Practice 17.5 (2014): 10. Advanced Placement Source. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.
The Use of Music and Singing to Help Manage Anxiety in Older Adults is an article
written by Karen Eells. The article discusses how as people age they are prone to anxiety and
negative emotions that music therapy can help them cope with. The article defines anxiety as
apprehensive fear and excessive worry. Because of anxiety, older adults often suffer from muscle
tension, irritability, headaches and difficulty concentrating and sleeping. Anxiety has the ability
to greatly decrease the quality of life of the sufferer. The article claims music therapy can help
sooth anxiety, distract one from unpleasant experiences, benefit social interaction, memory recall
and wellbeing. Singing and listening to music can bring positive emotions to older adults such as

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a sense of calmness or excitement. The article is critical to the research because it discusses the
positive effects of music therapy on older adults with anxiety and older adults with dementia.
Im, Mi Lim, and Jeong In Lee. "Effects of Art and Music Therapy on Depression and Cognitive
Function of the Elderly." Technology & Health Care 22.3 (2014): 453. Advanced
Placement Source. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.
Effects of Art and Music Therapy on Depression and Cognitive Function of the Elderly
by Lim Mi Im and Jeong In Lee states that depression in older people is on the rise. The article
explains that depression can present its self as anxiety, physical symptoms, hypochondria,
concentration disorders and memory lapse. The article also states that elders with dementia are
prone to nervousness, depression and abnormal behavior. Music therapy sessions were held in
order to help the elderly with depression and cognitive function. The sessions helped the elderly
express emotion and release oppressed feelings. The sessions also proved to be beneficial to
depression of the elderly. The article is critical to the research because it supports the thesis that
music therapy can help lift mood and decrease negative symptoms such as depression in elderly.
Lin, YuChu, HsinYang, Chyn-YngChen, Chiung-HuaChen, Shyi-GenChang, Hsiu-JuHsieh,
Chia-JungChou, Kuei-Ru. "Effectiveness of Group Music Intervention against Agitated
Behavior in Elderly Persons with Dementia." International Journal of Geriatric
Psychiatry 26.7 (2011): 670-678. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web.
19 Oct. 2015.
Effectiveness of Group Music Intervention against Agitated Behavior in Elderly Persons
with Dementia is an article that discusses how music therapy can help relieve some negative
symptoms of elderly people suffering from dementia. The article states how people with

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dementia often suffer from agitation which can lead to physically and verbally aggressive
behavior. The article discusses a trial where the experimental group consisted of elderly people
suffering from dementia. In the experiment, the group was administered music therapy sessions.
After the sessions concluded, it was determined that music therapy helped decrease agitation and
lowered the amount of physically and verbally aggressive behavior in the elderly persons with
dementia. The article is critical to the research because it supports the theory that music therapy
is beneficial to elderly people and can help alleviate some of the negative symptoms they may
possess.
Lum, Chee-Hoo. "Reflective Dialogues in Community Music Engagement: An Exploratory
Experience in a Singapore Nursing Home and Day-Care Centre for Senior Citizens."
International Journal of Community Music 4.2 (2011): 185-197. ERIC. Web. 19 Oct.
2015.
Reflective Dialogues in Community Music Engagement: An Exploratory Experience in
a Singapore Nursing Home and Day-Care Centre for Senior Citizens is an article written by
Lum Chee-Hoo that explains the effects of music therapy on elderly. Music therapy sessions
were practiced in a nursing home in Singapore. There were challenges of communication in the
beginning sessions but once they passed the language barrier, the music therapy sessions proved
to be extremely beneficial to the elderly. The article discusses how musical engagement in the
nursing homes of Singapore helped improve memory, social skills and senses of the residing
elderly. The article also states the therapeutic practice helped increase relaxation and lift moods
in the nursing home. One woman in particular was nearly soundless, with her head hung low at
the beginning of the session. Once the therapists played a familiar tune, the womans head raised
and her eyes sparkled. She would talk about the artist and sing proudly. The music proved

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beneficial to the womans mood. The article discusses how the therapy relieved restlessness,
decreased agitation and had other benefits for the elderly as well. This article is critical to the
research because it discusses multiple benefits of music therapy and how the therapeutic practice
is beneficial to the elderly.
Mohammadi, Ali Zadeh, Tanaze Shahabi, and Fereshteh Moradi Panah. "An Evaluation of the
Effect of Group Music Therapy on Stress, Anxiety and Depression Levels in Nursing
Home Residents." Canadian Journal of Music Therapy 17.1 (2011): 55-68. Academic
Search Complete. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.
An Evaluation of the Effect of Group Music Therapy on Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Levels in Nursing Home Residents by Mohammadi, Ali Zadeh, Tanaze Shahabi and Fereshteh
Moradi Panah is an article that explores the effects of music therapy on elderly persons residing
in nursing homes. The article claims that music has great potential in nursing homes and can help
with agitation, anxiety and depression of elderly. The study the article discussed proved to have a
beneficial effect on depression and anxiety in elderly persons living in nursing homes. According
to the article, music therapy can also help with the physical and cognitive functions of people
residing in nursing homes. The therapeutic practice can help elderly people socialize, express
themselves and incorporate simulation into their lives. The article is critical to the research
because it explains that music therapy is beneficial to anxiety, depression and other symptoms
elderly may experience while living in nursing homes.
"Program Monitors Music's Effect on Nursing Home Residents." Victoria Advocate [Victoria,
TX] 13 Aug. 2015. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.

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Program Monitors Musics Effect on Nursing Home Residents is an article that
analyzes a woman called Debbie Boehnkes story. Debbie was a college professor before she
developed Parkinsons disease. She taught classes until she was placed in a nursing home.
Debbie suffered from anxiety and shakiness when she first moved into the nursing home. When
she was given an iPod with her favorite music, she confirmed that listening to the music lifted
her mood and helped with her anxiety. She also confirmed that her quality of life had improved
because of the music. The article also discusses other residents in the nursing home who found
music therapeutic. Even staff agreed listening to music often changed the mood of the elderly
person and they seemed to become more aware of themselves. The article is critical to the
research because it confirms from an elder receiving music therapy and caretakers as well that
music can help increase positive and decrease negative emotions of elderly people.