Background: Dementia is a rapidly growing disease globally, as the world's population is ageing. There is a need for alternative treatment of diseases such as dementia. Understanding the impact of music on people with dementia is important to further develop the nursing care.

Aim: The aim was to illuminate the impact of music on people with dementia from a nursing perspective.

Method: This study was a literature study based on Friberg's five step analysis. Eight qualitative studies were analysed.

Result: The result showed that music had positive impact on both mental and physical aspects. People with dementia tended to be more sociable and active as well as happier when music was played. This made them more able to express emotions, interests and opinions regarding the nursing care and in general their way of life.

Conclusion: Music was easy and cost efficient to implement in everyday nursing care. The benefits of music outweighed the difficulties implementing it. It saved time during everyday tasks and seemed to make life more enjoyable in general for people with dementia.