Objectives: The present study aims to verify the benefits of the use of music in
mitigating the negative effects of the institutionalization process, and to evaluate which
cognitive aspects change by using music as an occupational therapeutic resource.
Methods: This is a quantitative and qualitative exploratory research, such as an
uncontrolled clinical trial conducted in a long-term care facility. Participated in
interventions, elderly in dementia process residing in the institution. As research, tools
it was used the Mini Mental State Exam. Results: The study included three
institutionalized elderly, 2 women and 1 man, with an average age of 82.3 years (SD
= 8.2, range = 7292), with 0 to 3 years of schooling according to the Mini. Mental State
Examination (MMSE) and all participants mentioned enjoying listening to music. All
three participants scored below the MMSE cutoff point, indicating cognitive
impairment. This test was applied twice, the first during the initial assessment, and the
second after intervention with music. The elderly maintained or performed better in
MMSE items after the music intervention. Conclusion: This study suggests that music
may have positive effects on some cognitive aspects of institutionalized elderly with
dementia, especially regarding temporal, spatial orientation, short-term memory, and
language. In addition, participants were more communicative and interactive.
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