Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Ragtime Therapy Helps Alzheimer's Patients

Aired December 27, 2001 - 08:49   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Researchers are studying causes and treatments for Alzheimer's Disease, but their findings may be too late for patients who are suffering right now. For those people, there are programs, to improve their quality of life, however.

CNN Medical Correspondent Rhonda Rowland explains how ragtime music may help them.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RHONDA ROWLAND, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's not your typical nursing home activity. Dancing. Singing. Clapping. Toe tapping. It's more like a party. But just minutes before, this was the scene in the Alzheimer's and Dementia ward of the Morris Geriatric Clinic. Patients on this floor described as --

DR. JUERGEN BLUDAU, MORRIS GERIATRIC CENTER: Significantly demented, in the sense that they are not oriented to time or place. They may or may not actually recognize their loved ones. They require help with bathing, help with toileting, help with dressing.

ROWLAND: But you wouldn't know that during "Rag Time With Tony." For two hours a week, residents get down and shake their hips.

MICHELLE CAPOGROSSO, NURSE: When Tony comes in, the room fills up. You know, they know he's there. And he puts -- it's fun, it's light, it's lively. The music starts, there's singing.

TONY SANSO, MUSICIAN: The people that I perform for, are like family to me.

ROWLAND: It may not be the Gaslight Club, where he used to perform, but to Tony, this is like playing at one of his old spots. In the 1950s, he mixed slapstick with music. What he called ironic satire. Playing the nightclub circuit in places like Atlantic City and New York. Then, came diagnosis. Throat cancer.

SANSO: It was so -- catastrophic that I -- I was like in a dream. You know, you can't sing anymore.

ROWLAND: But after having two-thirds of his voice box removed, Tony fought back, using his skills where he thought he could do the most good. And this doctor says his music is doing the patients a world of good.

BLUDAU: It helps improve the sleep-wake cycle, making them sleep better at night. It improves appetite.

ROWLAND: Research conducted at Eastern Michigan University supports that. Their study found that dementia patients consume 20 percent more calories when music was played during lunchtime. The study cautions, however, that the music played must match the musical taste of the residents, otherwise it could be harmful. If it's the right kind, like ragtime is here, it can improve their quality of life.

CAPOGROSSO: They think they're in their 20s or their 30s, and they're able to remember, actually remember, the words of the songs. So, when their families come here, there's a bond where there wasn't any existing before.

ROWLAND: Rhonda Rowland, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Well, would you like more information about ragtime therapy and other health news? Well, quick as you can say "Scott Joplin," you can find it on our web site. That's at cnn.com/health.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com