Impact of Music Improvisation Training on Cognitive Function in Older Adults

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Aging, Cognitive Aging, Cognitive Impairment, Cognitive Training, Cognitively Normal Older Adults, Mild Cognitive Impairment

In brief

This project will develop and test the effects and mechanisms of a music improvisation training intervention on self-regulation of older adults with and without MCI. The investigator's overall hypothesis is that improvisation training will lead to improvements in self-regulation, compared to controls, and that improvisation training will be associated with specific changes in prefrontal brain networks and ultimately cognitive engagement.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05980286

Run by

University of California, San Francisco

People needed

53

Starts

2022-10-15

Expected to finish

2023-06-28

Last updated by the study team

2025-12-17

Who can join

Age: 60 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 60 and over
• Living independently in the community
• Sufficient visual and hearing acuity (age-related to normal hearing loss, with assistive devices) as measured by audiometer
• Less than three years of formal music training (as indicated by private music lessons does not include group or ensemble classes) and not currently reading or engaging in music performance
• English fluency rated fairly well to well
• Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of 22-30 or diagnosis of "mild cognitive impairment
• Not currently taking psychoactive medications, antidepressants, or sleep medications that could adversely affect cognitive abilities.

You may not qualify if…

• Medical diagnosis of dementia (any etiology)
• Inability to move the hands or use all 10 digits (extensive arthritis, neuropathy, missing digits)
• Score < 22 on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
• Current (but not prior) severe psychiatric disorder, serious medical condition (e.g., stroke, TIA) that would interfere with participation in the study
• Poor English fluency
• Musician or previously trained in jazz improvisation, more than three years of formal music instruction or training and/or currently engaged in musical performance
• Plans to move out of the area within six months

Where it is running

• Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS) Sites — San Francisco, California, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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