Market Potential of Music Technology in Improving Quality of Life for Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases: Insights from Biotechnology

Abstract

As global populations age, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases continues to rise, challenging healthcare systems worldwide. Advancements in biotechnological research have highlighted the potential of music interventions in managing conditions like dementia. Our study evaluated the therapeutic effects of music on 55 dementia patients, differentiated by mild (CDR=1) and moderate (CDR=2) disease severity. Leveraging personalized music technology that adapts therapy to individual patient profiles, we observed significant cognitive improvements in both groups, evidenced by increased Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. Additionally, neuropsychiatric symptoms, assessed via the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), showed reductions across several parameters. Notably, mild dementia patients demonstrated improvements in delusions, hallucinations, and disinhibition, whereas moderate severity patients saw broader symptom relief. Emotional well-being, as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), also improved, particularly in depression scores for both groups, though anxiety improvements were significant only in mild cases. However, no notable changes in functional abilities were observed. These findings underscore the potential of integrating music technology into dementia therapy, pointing to its utility as a non-invasive, cost-effective treatment option. This integration of biotechnological tools in therapeutic regimes not only enhances patient care but also opens commercial opportunities for innovations in music technology and neuroscience, advocating for their broader application in managing dementia.