{
  "id": 7206602,
  "title": "'Nostalgic songs help soothe dementia patients'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/nostalgic-songs-help-soothe-dementia-patients",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-13T23:52:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK English",
    "slug": "rthk-english",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1869897-20260914.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent trial at Tai Po Hospital has revealed that elderly dementia patients experience reduced agitation and sometimes even cut down on their sleep medication after listening to personalized playlists of their favorite songs. The year-long program included 72 patients aged 65 or older, each with a playlist of songs they loved from their youth, played four times a day for 30 minutes each session. Dr. Yip Wai-man, chief of the hospital's medicine and geriatrics department, explained that the calming effect of familiar tunes is due to the fact that seniors with cognitive impairments often become easily agitated. Unlike medication, music proved to be a non-invasive approach with no adverse side effects. In fact, 17 out of 72 participants managed to reduce their sleep medication, primarily sleeping pills. Over 60 percent of the patients showed a decline in agitation compared to pre-trial levels. Dr. Yip cautioned that excessive music exposure could have a numbing effect, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach. He suggested that the initiative could potentially be implemented in accident and emergency departments at other hospitals.",
  "summary": "Elderly patients suffering from dementia and cognitive decline become less agitated after listening to their favourite songs, a trial scheme at Tai Po Hospital has found, with some even growing calm enough to forgo their usual sleeping medication. The year-long programme involved 72 inpatients aged 65 or older. Each patient got a personalised playlist of songs they loved when they were younger,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK News",
        "title": "'Nostalgic songs help soothe dementia patients'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/nostalgic-songs-help-soothe-dementia-patients-7207054",
        "published": "2026-09-13T23:52:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}