Efficacy of musical interventions in dementia: evidence from a randomized controlled trial.

Although musical interventions have recently gained popularity as a non-pharmacological treatment in dementia, there is still insufficient evidence of their effectiveness. To investigate this issue, a single-center randomized controlled trial was conducted with forty-eight patients with Alzheimer's disease or mixed dementia to compare the effects of music versus cooking interventions in the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral domain, as well as on professional caregiver distress. Each intervention lasted four weeks (two one-hour sessions a week).

[Ethical approach to severe dementia].

General principles of medical ethics are discussed in the context of care for patients with severe dementia.