Music for the Mind Study (M4M)

University of Rochester

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI); Memory Disorders, Age Related; Memory Decline

Treatments: Behavioral: Piano lessons; Behavioral: Music Lessons

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06866327

STUDY00010048

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn if older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) find two music programs equally acceptable. This pilot study will help researchers prepare for a future, large-scale clinical trial to learn if music training can slow cognitive decline and promote emotional well-being in those at risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The main questions this pilot study aims to answer are:

• Do participants like the music programs?
• Do participants stay enrolled in the study?
• Do participants report perceived benefits of the programs for their emotional well-being or everyday memory?

Participants will:

• Participate in 12-weekly sessions of piano lessons or music lessons, with group and individual lessons alternating each week.
• Have home practice in between lessons, with a keyboard or other instruments provided.
• Keep a diary of their home practice and their mood before and after practice.
• Participate in interviews before and after the 12-week programs.

Enrollment: 18 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged ≥ 60 years
• English-speaking
• Community-dwelling
• Medical diagnosis of MCI by a physician or research diagnostic criteria for MCI, defined by having Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), with a cutoff of 20- 25 (further adjusted for racial/ethnic differences)
• Capable to consent as identified by the University of California, San Diego Brief Assessment of Capacity to Consent (UBACC)
• No severe psychiatric condition (e.g., bipolar disorder)

Exclusion criteria

• Demonstrate musicality knowledge, as assessed by the Musicality Assessment developed by the study team
• Currently participating in a formal music activity (performance, classes, lessons, etc.)
• Major impairment in eyesight or hearing that precludes music reading, hearing, or engagement in the class
• Any difficulty using a keyboard (portable electric piano) due to pain, neuropathy, tremor, or upper finger/hand/limb injury

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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18 participants in 2 patient groups

Piano lessons

Experimental group

Description:

Introduction to piano playing, including instruction and practice in note reading, finger positions, and song playing.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Piano lessons

Music lessons

Active Comparator group

Description:

Introduction to varied instrument playing, music singing, and music appreciation.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Music Lessons