As it applies to standard care, an article by Cohen-Mansfield (2001), views the need for various options not including music therapy to reduce the untimely behaviors common in patients with dementia that are linked to sundowning. "Three main psychosocial theoretical models have generally been utilized to explain inappropriate behaviors in dementia: the "unmet needs" model, a behavioral/learning model, and an environmental vulnerability/reduced stress-threshold model" (Cohen-Mansfield, 2001, p
One study sought to show not only the effectiveness of music therapy, but also what kind of structure was in the sessions and how facilitated engagement encouraged reduction in agitation and anxiety in elderly patients with dementia. "This study, as part of a larger program of research, sought to investigate the effect that participation in a 40-min live group music program, involving facilitated engagement with song-singing and listening, three times a week for eight weeks" (Cooke, Moyle, Shum, Harrison, & Murfield, 2010, p
In the final study, a music mediation was achieved to observe the effects of customized music programming on agitation and depression for people suffering with moderate to high levels of dementia. The study involved a two weeks with no-music and then two weeks with music: "music programs were streamed to the rooms of individuals assigned to a music group (N = 19) several hours per day each day for 12 weeks" (Janata, 2012, p
Astonishingly, it is a question with a complex answer. Sundowning is an expressive term rather than a diagnosis (KLAFFKE & STAEDT, 2006, p
Another study by Ledger & Baker (2007) aimed to examine the long-term effects of group music therapy on agitation demonstrated by nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease. The results were as follows: "Although music therapy participants showed short-term reductions in agitation, there were no significant differences between the groups in the range, frequency, and severity of agitated behaviors manifested over time" (Ledger & Baker, 2007, p
The evidence in favor of multidisciplinary teams, massage and aromatherapy is inconclusive." (Opie, Rosewarne, & OConnor, 1999, p
As the writers of the article share, because sundowning is so hard to understand and fully grasp, the treatment options available are not optimally suited for patients to reduce the occurrence of this disorder. "It is concluded that in spite of many references to it in clinical texts, sundowning remains a poorly understood phenomenon" (Rindlisbacher & Hopkins, 1991, p
The same can be said for traditional pharmacological approaches. "Neither pharmacological nor nonpharmacological interventions totally eliminate behavioral symptoms, but both types of interventions decrease the severity of symptoms" (Snowden, Sato, & Roy-Byrne, 2003, p
Some may suggest sundowning is somewhat common with reports of sundowning in Alzheimer's patients being from the 10 -- 25% range, but have shown percentages as low as 2.4% and as great as 66% (Staedt & Stoppe, 2005, p
In fact they suggest that music therapy should be used with patients with dementia however feel that more research is needed on its benefits. "Music therapy should be welcomed into care of the elderly settings in Ireland and elsewhere; however, more research is required to validate the effects of this therapy as a holistic tool to build altruistic connections between carers and clients" (Wall & Duffy, 2010, p
Examples were numerous in the autobiographical literature: Jesse Park (Park, 1992) became a respected artist; Temple Grandin (1995) gained international recognition as a designer of livestock equipment; and Donna Williams (1992) taught herself to play piano, developing her own notation system. Others exhibited skill in poetry, music, and mathematics (Akerley, 1992; Sellin, 1995; Sullivan, 1992)
People labeled autistic describe an unusual relationship with the world around them. From an early age, autobiographers distinguished the "real world" from how they personally experienced the world (Barron & Barron, 1992; Grandin, 1995; Sellin, 1995; Williams, 1992)
. In auditory integration training (Berard, 1993; Tomatis, 1991), students listen through earphones to electronically filtered music
Certainly, not all emotions experienced by people with autism are negative. Donna Williams described the intense pleasure she received from reflected light patterns, stable fluctuations of sound, jumping, playing music, or watching a fire (Blakely, 1992, Williams, 1994a; Williams, 1994b)
This observation is confirmed by Courchesne and his colleagues who noted both a dissociation between auditory and visual attention, and an inability to rapidly shift attention in individuals with autism. They stated that deficient attention contributed to the social and cognitive delays in autism (Courchesne et al
This observation is confirmed by Courchesne and his colleagues who noted both a dissociation between auditory and visual attention, and an inability to rapidly shift attention in individuals with autism. They stated that deficient attention contributed to the social and cognitive delays in autism (Courchesne et al
Even for individuals with autism who are very capable, problems with communication are often quite fundamental. Individuals with autism may misinterpret situational nuances, fail to consider context, and have difficulty distinguishing the essential from the trivial (Dewey, 1991; Happe, 1991)
21). Autobiographers reported a limited capacity to both filter stimuli and to experience more than one sensation at any given time (Grandin & Scariano, 1986, Williams, 1994b)
21). Autobiographers reported a limited capacity to both filter stimuli and to experience more than one sensation at any given time (Grandin & Scariano, 1986, Williams, 1994b)
21). Autobiographers reported a limited capacity to both filter stimuli and to experience more than one sensation at any given time (Grandin & Scariano, 1986, Williams, 1994b)