Research

Striking the right chord: Music, movement and dementia

We’ve all experienced how music can spark memories and make us feel more emotionally connected to a person or a place. A leading research project from PhD student Jennifer England, supervised by Professor Nicola Carey, has been exploring the science behind this. 

Their search aims to better understand how music could play a role in unlocking new ways to communicate, improving the quality of relationships in dementia caregiving. 

What do we already know about music and the brain?

Studies show that music engages multiple brain regions at once, including those linked to memory, emotion and movement. Brain imaging has revealed that listening to familiar or meaningful music can strengthen neural connections, particularly in areas that support memory and attention.

Music also appears to enhance emotional wellbeing, with evidence showing improvements in mood, memory recall and communication, helping people with dementia feel more engaged. And combining music with movement further stimulates the brain, supporting coordination and deeper emotional connection.

The potential of this connection is at the heart of Jennifer's three-year PhD research project.

Studying the impact of music and movement

The basis for the study emerged during the pandemic, when Jennifer was unable to visit her mother, who lives with dementia.

Every day, mother and daughter caught up via video, and Jennifer started to use music as a shared activity. Despite the fact that they had no history of shared music, Jennifer observed that it made her mother noticeably more animated, especially when she also copied her mum’s movements as she reacted to the music.  

In copying her mum, Jennifer was drawing on a method known as 'mimesis', a technique rooted in ancient philosophy that involves mirroring movements or gestures of the other person. Since dementia often affects speech, Jennifer became interested in how movement to music could help people express themselves.  

Creating meaningful moments

Jennifer’s project uses a combination of music and gentle movement to help people living with dementia and their loved ones connect and share memories. Participants and their chosen partners – including spouses, adult children, friends and grandchildren – join sessions online or in person, even from remote or rural areas.

Together, they create personalised music playlists filled with meaningful songs, particularly from participants’ earlier life. The years from 10 to 30 are strongly associated with cherished memories, a period known as the ‘reminiscence bump.’ 

In response to the music, participants started to engage in gentle, natural movements, such as tapping feet, nodding heads or moving their hands as if conducting music. Their partner mirrors these movements, creating a shared moment of engagement through both the melody and the rhythm. No dance steps or routines are taught; movements are spontaneous and joyful.

The aspect of movement is what makes this study particularly exciting. We’re exploring what happens when people not only hear meaningful music, but also respond to it with natural, spontaneous gestures.  

Professor Carey explains, “Rather than teaching any steps, we simply watch, reflect, and gently mirror these movements to encourage connection."

"We’re also running this research in different places, including rural communities in Scotland and Italy, because we want to see how music and movement help people reach across generations and cultures."

A fascinating start

The results are still to be published, but the observations have been fascinating. “What’s emerged has gone far beyond just individual playlists,” shares Jennifer. “With participants ranging from grandchildren to spouses, the music has evolved into shared moments across age groups and musical tastes."

The result is a rich, relational experience where music becomes a bridge between people and generations, and even between memory and the present.

“We’ve often been surprised by the positive response to music – such as classical – that a person had not initially shown a preference for. And spontaneous gestures can deepen connection and bring a lot of joy."

"Even with limited mobility, there’s great potential for meaningful engagement through seated movement.”