Alive with the sound of music

"My aim was not to make him happy, but to use music to allow him to open up, enable the grief to be expressed and find closure," she said.

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Then, one day, seemingly out of nowhere, he shared two songs with her: Fated by Hong Kong singer Andy Lau and First Of May by English pop group the Bee Gees, both reflections on time and loss.

With what Ms Soon described as "intense clarity", he walked her through specific, vivid memories from his life. He died the following week.

"Music can unlock something I cannot do through just talking," said Ms Soon, adding that some patients may never have ventured into those memories without the emotional nudge of a particular song.

Music therapy also helps dementia patients in physical, emotional and cognitive ways, said Dr Chan Kin Ming of Chan KM Geriatric and Medical Clinic.

Learning to play instruments can boost short-term memory and attention span, while using music to soothe agitation and aggression can be an effective alternative to medication, he said.

Music therapists do not just work with elderly patients.

At Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities, music therapist Farhana Rizaini, 34, works with children with developmental needs.