Authors: Monique van Bruggen-Rufi, Annelies van Rijn.
This article reports about two different cases of persons with Korsakoff syndrome (KS) who benefit greatly from music therapy while they are struggling with behavioral and emotional problems, caused by their chronic alcohol abuse which led to developing KS. Typical characteristics of persons suffering from KS are memory impairment, confabulation and problems with executive functions.
Music therapy is a non-pharmacological intervention which has the potential to improve communication skills, reducing behavioral problems and thus leading to a better quality of life in KS-patients. An empathic yet directive approach has been proven beneficial when working with KS-clients.
There is still little knowledge on how music therapy may contribute to improving these skills or reducing these impairments. The two case reports that follow provide greater insight into how to treat patients with KS through music therapy, specifically in patients who are residing in a long-term care facility specialized in KS.
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