Music is a large part of the human experience, whether we consciously realize it or not, and it has long been researched and recognized for its potential in healing.
One area of study involves how music might help with memory disorders such as dementia, which causes deterioration in the regions of the brain that control emotions, cognitive functioning, and memory. As a result, an individual can experience symptoms including memory loss, confusion, social difficulties, and poor mood regulation; however, music stimulates the affected areas of the brain, which can improve symptoms.
The Victory Fund is a foundation that leads a local effort to help those with the progressive disease. Its Victory Chorus is a choir based in Duluth made up of individuals with dementia, their caregivers, and other members of the community. It’s a “safe, loving, and supportive space” for people with dementia that gives members an opportunity to “engage in their community, build connections, use their gifts, and experience joy.”
Anna Nevala and Emily Flack are two communication sciences and disorders (CSD) graduate students who joined the choir as part of their research studies. Both have participated in choirs before; Flack even has a B.A. in vocal performance.
Flack heard about the chorus through her advisors (Associate Professors Dana Collins and Sharyl Samargia-Grivette) after she had told them that she was interested in researching music’s effects on the brain. “I attended the winter concert and met with the directors and organizers of the choir,” Flack said, “and once I learned more about how the choir got started and the impact it’s had in the community, I knew that it was something I needed to be a part of.”
Nevala was also aiming to do a music-focused research project, becoming interested in the chorus because it is the only choir in Duluth that has a diverse community of individuals who live with dementia. “I used to participate in a choir growing up, and I knew that I wanted to do something related to music for my research project. So I thought, ‘why not see how music affects the brain of those with dementia?’” she commented. “I wanted data to back up how music affects the brain in a positive way.”
Their projects broadly focused on whether symptoms improved after choir rehearsals.
Flack took a survey approach, aiming to get the caregivers’ perspectives. “It’s highly important to have caregiver input, as they are usually the people most often interacting with and assisting somebody with dementia,” Flack said, noting that she had noticed a lack of caregiver perspectives in dementia research.
Caregivers reported what they observed from their patients, both in the community and at home. Overall, responses indicated that cognitive and social abilities remained relatively the same; however, emotionally, caregivers noted a positive emotional shift: instances of happiness and calmness increased, while instances of sadness and agitation decreased.
Nevala chose to measure heart rate variability (HRV)—the amount of time that passes between heartbeats and how it fluctuates—because it can be a strong indicator of one’s well-being.
“A higher HRV score can indicate better quality of life, increased happiness, and less stress overall,” Nevala explained, “whereas a lower HRV score can indicate more generalized stress and less resilience to difficult situations.” Participants were also cognitively assessed before and after rehearsals, measuring “attention span, sequencing, processing speed, executive and motor functioning, and mental flexibility.” The results showed improvements in both their HRV scores and their cognitive function, which indicates that rehearsals were very beneficial.
In addition to providing a unique research opportunity, participation in the Victory Chorus was an unforgettable experience for the students.
Nevala enjoyed getting to know everyone in the choir, and appreciated everything they have done for her. “The community is so welcoming and fun to be around,” Nevala said. “I would go to the Sunday sessions and it would be a nice way to end my weeks. My favorite part of the choir rehearsals is the 'move and groove’ where we would sing a song and dance with it. It was a fun activity that got everyone involved.”
Flack felt that the chorus was a great place to connect with one another through a mutual love of music and singing. “Through this connection of music, I have had the opportunity to not only watch relationships grow, but to build and create my own friendships and relationships which I might not otherwise have had the opportunity to do,” she commented. “My experience with this choir has been an absolute joy—having a group such as the Victory Chorus in the city of Duluth is not only important, but a special and unique piece for the Duluth community.”