The Wall Street Journal’s Melina Beck has a fascinating article about the use of iPods and MP3 players in treatment for stroke and dementia patients.

Beth Abraham’s executive director, Concetta Tomaino, is working on a program to provide iPods loaded with customized playlists to help spread the benefits of music therapy to Alzheimer’s patients at home. One of the best quotes from the article is, “What I believe is happening is that by engaging very basic mechanisms of emotions and listening, music is stimulating dormant areas of the brain that haven’t been accessible due to degenerative disease.”

The article also includes a list of songs the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function find useful for treatment,

• “The Times They Are A-Changin” by Bob Dylan
• “Fever” by Peggy Lee
• “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” by Doris Day
• “California Girls” by The Beach Boys
• “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction) by The Rolling Stones

The full list is also available at the institute’s website

Read the rest of the article here

The WSJ typically charges for content so I’m not sure how long you will be able to get access without paying for it.