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HARNESSING MUSIC FOR MOVEMENT AND MEMORY
Dr. Neil Thomas sees a creative pathway to greater well-being
- Canada’s population is aging, but with longevity comes new challenges. Older adults face an increased risk of frailty and mobility problems, as well as cognitive changes as they age. With rising rates of social isolation and loneliness, these challenges can quietly erode their quality of life.
For Dr. Neil Thomas, Investigator with the Bruyère Health Research Institute and neurologist with the Bruyère Health Memory Clinic, the question is increasingly clear: how do we support older adults in ways that nurture not only physical health, but also cognition, connection, and well-being? Addressing these complex needs requires approaches that move beyond clinical settings and into everyday life.
“Music offers a promising answer,” says Dr. Thomas. “Music has the power to bring people together, stimulate the mind, and invite movement. Harnessing that potential thoughtfully and effectively, however, requires evidence, collaboration, and an open mind to complement care with creativity.”
Music and movement as part of care
- So much of our health and well-being is cultivated outside of the doctor’s office. While clinical care remains important, addressing the social, emotional, and psychosocial dimensions of well-being works as a preventative strategy against physical and cognitive decline.
In partnership with the University of Ottawa’s Music and Health Research Institute and The Royal, Dr. Thomas is examining how creative, movement-based engagement can supplement traditional care to support both the physical and cognitive health of older adults.
Together, they are co developing, evaluating, and refining best practices for community based music and movement (COMM) programs. Their goal is to understand what works, for whom, and for which conditions, so that music and movement programs can be integrated meaningfully into health and social care systems.
“Physical inactivity and social isolation are modifiable risk factors for dementia,” says Dr. Thomas. “Understanding how music and movement interventions can act as protective factors for dementia and cognitive decline can help us design creative and compassionate care.”
“Understanding how music and movement interventions can act as protective factors for dementia and cognitive decline can help us design creative and compassionate care.”
Dr. Neil Thomas
Investigator, Bruyère Health Research Institute
Neurologist, Bruyère Health Memory Clinic
A prescription for music
- Offered on the premises of Bruyère Health’s John and Jennifer Ruddy Geriatric Day Hospital, the Music & Movement Program already has enthusiastic participation from patients and caregivers alike. In collaboration with Dr. Anne Monahan, care of the elderly physician at the Day Hospital, the Program has grown from one weekly class cohort to four in just two years, with recent Day Hospital “graduates” among its most active participants.
Alongside the positive anecdotes, research is revealing the impact these programs can have on cognition, mood, social isolation, and other factors that influence quality of life and well-being, alongside the physical benefits. In particular, Dr. Thomas is interested in how these types of programs help cognitive function, while reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness for patients who are living with dementia.
Ultimately, the goal is to create an evidence-based, sustainable model of “Music on Prescription” that health professionals can recommend alongside other treatments.
“I envision a future where older adults living with chronic health conditions dance with confidence, where caregivers share moments of joy with their loved ones, and where music becomes a recognized pillar of health and well-being,” says Dr. Thomas.
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