Movement and Music Intervention for Individuals With Dementia

The Ohio State University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Dementia With Lewy Bodies; Dementia

Treatments: Other: Dance; Other: Music

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03121950

2016H0211

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of the study is to learn about how possible benefits of movement and music for individuals with dementia. Individuals with dementia will participate in a dance class. The study includes assessments of walking, balance and cognition.

Full description

Dementia impacts 5%-7% of individuals >60 years old. It impacts the person's ability to perform work, care for him/herself and ultimately leads to physical disability. There is a high caregiver burden associated with dementia and many individuals require care in a long-term care facility. There is some emerging evidence that music based interventions may have a protective effect on the brain in those with dementia. There is also evidence that doing activities that engage the brain through music are beneficial. This study seeks to investigate the potential benefits of a music based intervention for individuals with dementia. The study aims to recruit individuals with a diagnosis of dementia. Once enrolled participants will undergo assessment of walking, balance and cognition and then be asked to participate either in a dance class or to listen to live music. After 6 weeks and again at the end of the study (after 12 weeks) participants will undergo assessments of walking, balance and cognition.

Enrollment: 21 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of dementia
• Mini-Mental State Examination score > 9
• Age > 60 years
• Able to follow simple instructions

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to walk 10 feet unassisted
• Presence of orthopedic disorder that impacts walking
• Presence of other neurologic diagnosis that impacts cognitive or motor function such as stroke, Parkinson disease or traumatic brain injury

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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21 participants in 2 patient groups

Dance in dementia

Experimental group

Description:

examine if participating in a dance class improves mobility and/or cognition in individuals with dementia.

Treatment:

Other: Dance

Music and dementia

Active Comparator group

Description:

examine if listening to music improves mobility and/or cognition in individuals with dementia.

Treatment:

Other: Music