Dementia, music and biometric gaming: Rising to the Dementia Challenge

In 2012, the U.K. government launched its Dementia Challenge, authorizing additional funding for dementia research and health care. The search for curative medicines is ongoing, but scientific research reveals evidence that music can play a positive role in general health, and in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in particular. This article considers whether some of the challenges that dementia presents could be addressed through music therapy and proposes that biometric gaming might offer one means of channeling such associated health benefits to sufferers of dementia, even in the final stages of the disease

Intérêt de la musicothérapie dans la prise en charge de la lombalgie chronique en milieu hospitalier (Étude contrôlée, randomisée sur 65 patients)

International audienceObjectif. – Évaluer l’intérêt de la musicothérapie dans la prise en charge des patients lombalgiques chroniques hospitalisés.Matériels et méthodes. – Étude contrôlée, randomisée par mois alterné, sur 65 patients lombalgiques chroniques. Les patients sonthospitalisés pour une période de 12 jours. Le groupe d’intervention (n = 32) reçoit quatre séances de musicothérapie entre J0 et J5, associéesà une rééducation conventionnelle. Le groupe témoin reçoit la rééducation seule (n = 33). Les critères de jugement, mesurés à J0, J5 et J12,sont : la douleur (échelle visuelle analogique - EVA), l’incapacité fonctionnelle (questionnaire d’Oswestry), l’anxiété et la dépression (HospitalAnxiety and Depression Scale - HAD). La douleur a aussi été évaluée juste avant et après chacune des quatre séances de musicothérapiepar l’EVA.Résultats. – La musicothérapie permet une réduction de l’intensité douloureuse supérieure en cours de rééducation (–2 (± 2,7) vs –1,8 ±( 2,6))mais sans différence statistiquement significative. En revanche, la musicothérapie contribue à réduire de façon significative (p < 0,01) àJ5 l’incapacité fonctionnelle (–11,8 (± 17,8) vs –2,5 (± 9,4)), l’anxiété (–3,5 (± 3,7) vs –0,9 (± 2,7)) et la dépression (–2,1 (± 3) vs 0,6 ±( 2,4)).L’effet à court terme sur la douleur (EVA) est confirmé par le résultat apporté juste après les séances de musicothérapie (p < 0,001). Il existeun effet dose de la musicothérapie dans la diminution de la douleur.Conclusion. – Ces résultats confirment l’intérêt de la musicothérapie dans la prise en charge de la douleur chronique et en particulier de lalombalgie. La musicothérapie peut être un traitement adjuvant intéressant dans la prise en charge de la douleur chronique et ses conséquencesanxiodépressives et comportementales

Towards a miniature atomic scalar magnetometer using a liquid crystal polarization rotator

International audienceThis paper reviews the progress made in the miniaturization of an isotropic space-qualified optically pumped magnetometer. Sensor isotropy is provided by a liquid crystal polarization rotator that sets the linear pumping beam polarization at 90° with respect to the ambient magnetic field. It allows a continuous polarization rotation from 0 to more than 300° with response times compatible with mobile or space applications. This rotator is nonmagnetic and can be easily integrated close to the gas cell. The miniature helium-4 sensor reaches a sensitivity of 10 pT/√Hz in a bandwidth from DC to 100 Hz

Effect of Music Therapy on Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Alzheimer\u27s Type Dementia: Randomised, Controlled Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Numerous studies have indicated the value of music therapy in the management of patients with Alzheimer\u27s disease. A recent pilot study demonstrated the feasibility and usefulness of a new music therapy technique. The aim of this controlled, randomised study was to assess the effects of this new music therapy technique on anxiety and depression in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer-type dementia. METHODS: This was a single-centre, comparative, controlled, randomised study, with blinded assessment of its results. The duration of follow-up was 24 weeks. The treated group (n = 15) participated in weekly sessions of individual, receptive music therapy. The musical style of the session was chosen by the patient. The validated \u27U\u27 technique was employed. The control group (n = 15) participated under the same conditions in reading sessions. The principal endpoint, measured at weeks 1, 4, 8, 16 and 24, was the level of anxiety (Hamilton Scale). Changes in the depression score (Geriatric Depression Scale) were also analyzed as a secondary endpoint. RESULTS: Significant improvements in anxiety (p \u3c 0.01) and depression (p \u3c 0.01) were observed in the music therapy group as from week 4 and until week 16. The effect of music therapy was sustained for up to 8 weeks after the discontinuation of sessions between weeks 16 and 24 (p \u3c 0.01). CONCLUSION: These results confirm the valuable effect of music therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer\u27s disease. This new music therapy technique is simple to implement and can easily be integrated in a multidisciplinary programme for the management of Alzheimer\u27s disease