{
  "id": 7207054,
  "title": "'Nostalgic songs help soothe dementia patients'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/nostalgic-songs-help-soothe-dementia-patients-7207054",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-13T23:52:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK News",
    "slug": "rthk-news",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1869897-20260914.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent trial at Tai Po Hospital revealed that elderly patients with dementia and cognitive decline experienced reduced agitation after listening to their favorite songs. A year-long program included 72 inpatients aged 65 or older, each with a personalized playlist of songs they enjoyed when younger, which they listened to four times daily for 30 minutes. Dr Yip Wai-man, Chief of Service for the Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, highlighted that familiar melodies effectively calmed patients, noting that seniors with cognitive impairments often become easily agitated due to age-related decline. Traditional medicine usually relies on medication to manage agitation, but this trial shows that music can also play a role. Dr Yip emphasized that there were no adverse outcomes and that most patients did not dislike the chosen music. \"Most of the time, these sorts of patients need to be prescribed drugs for sleep or to soothe their agitating emotion,\" he said. \"But after the scheme, 17 out of 70 patients were able to reduce their on-demand drug, particularly sleeping pills.\" Over 60% of participants showed a decrease in agitation compared to pre-trial levels. Dr Yip explained that four 30-minute sessions daily were sufficient, but excessive music exposure could have a blunting effect. He suggested that this initiative could be extended to accident and emergency departments in 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 English",
        "title": "'Nostalgic songs help soothe dementia patients'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/nostalgic-songs-help-soothe-dementia-patients",
        "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."
}