Adaptive Music Therapy for Psychosocial and Cognitive Functions of Older Adults

Launched by TORONTO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY · Jul 1, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether a new music therapy program using Pi Electronics adaptive music can help improve mental and emotional well-being in healthy older adults. The researchers want to see if this innovative approach is more effective than traditional music therapy in reducing stress, loneliness, and improving cognitive functions. The study involves three groups: one group will experience the new adaptive music therapy, another will participate in traditional music therapy, and a third group will not receive any music therapy and will be on a waitlist.

To be eligible, participants must be aged 24 or older, have no previous mental health diagnoses, and have normal or corrected hearing. They also need access to a computer and the internet. Over four weeks, the two music therapy groups will attend four 30-minute sessions each week, while everyone will complete surveys and tests before, immediately after, and three months after the therapy. This study aims to gather valuable information on how music therapy can be a useful tool for enhancing the quality of life in older adults.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. without previous mental health diagnosis;
• • 2. with access to a computer and internet;
• • 3. with largely normal or corrected to normal hearing;
• • 4. without dementia-related cognitive decline (score of 24 or higher on Mini-Mental State Exam)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. with previous mental health diagnosis;
• • 2. without access to a computer and internet;
• • 3. without largely normal or corrected to normal hearing;
• • 4. with dementia-related cognitive decline (score of 23 or lower on Mini-Mental State Exam)
• • 5. if participant is an outlier on the cognitive tasks, scoring +/- 2.5 standard deviations on the computerized cognitive tasks.
• • 6. if half or more of the psychosocial questionnaires are incomplete.