Musical Attention Control and Executive Function Training for Adults With MDD

NCT05694156 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: MBCT-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 18
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The investigators have developed music-based cognitive training sessions derived from Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) techniques. The music-based cognitive training sessions will address areas of attention and executive function, which appear to progress over time and worsen as an individual experiences more episodes of depression. The aim of this pilot is to test 8-weeks of music-based cognitive training to improve cognitive function among adults with major depressive disorder.

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder; Cognitive Dysfunction; Suicide

Keywords

music-based intervention; cognition; depression

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Change in inhibition using the Go/No Go Task

  This cognitive task measures response time, accuracy, commission errors, omission errors, and reaction time variability.

  From baseline to 8-weeks

• Change in working memory capacity using the Digit Span Forward and Backward Test

  This cognitive task measures span length, correct recall, error rate, and reaction time.

  From baseline to 8-weeks

• Change in cognitive flexibility and executive control using the Shifting Attention test

  This cognitive task measures the ability to shift attention between different stimuli, assessing the speed and accuracy with which the individual can shift their attention and switch between different rules.

  From baseline to 8-weeks

• Change in visual attention and task switching using the Trail Making A and B test

  This cognitive task measures the time to complete the task and errors made. In Trail Making Test A, a longer completion time and higher number of errors can indicate difficulties with processing speed and attention. In Trail Making Test B, a longer completion time and a higher number of errors on Trail Making Test B, compared to Trail Making Test A, can indicate difficulties with cognitive flexibility, mental shifting, and attention.

  From baseline to 8-weeks

• Change in selective attention using the Stroop Test

  This cognitive task measures the time to complete the task and errors made. A longer completion time and a higher number of errors can indicate difficulty with selective attention and mental flexibility.

  From baseline to 8-weeks

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Change in suicidal ideation using the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI)

  From baseline to 8-weeks

• Changes in affect using the Positive and negative affect schedule - short form (PNAS-SF)

  From baseline to 8-weeks

• Changes in depression symptoms using the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - self-report (QIDS-SR).

  From baseline to 8-weeks

• Changes in quality of life using the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS)

  From baseline to 8-weeks

• Feasibility and acceptability of music-based cognitive training

  From baseline to 8-weeks

Study Arms (1)

Music-based cognitive training

EXPERIMENTAL

Music-based cognitive training sessions are derived from two Neurologic Music Therapy techniques: Musical Attention Control Training (MACT) and Musical Executive Function Training (MEFT). MACT exercises will focus on sustained and selective attention to emphasise flexibility and adaptability of the auditory attention system. MEFT exercises will provide opportunity for decision making, problem solving, reasoning, comprehending, organising, initiating, inhibiting, evaluating, analysing, and creating.

Other: Music-based cognitive training

Interventions

Music-based cognitive training OTHER

8-week music-based cognitive training

Music-based cognitive training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Clinical diagnosis of MDD meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Diploma in Social Medicine (DSM-V) criteria
• Experiencing suicidal ideation in the past week (Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation \>10)
• Have received more than 12 sessions of psychotherapy
• Stable medication use \> 4 weeks
• Ability to undergo music-based cognitive training sessions in English
• Capable of giving informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• The presence of cognitive impairment that would limit consent or understanding of neurologic music therapy
• The presence of active psychosis
• The presence of mood and suicidal symptom severity requiring immediate treatment
• Hearing impairment
• Participation in music therapy 6 months prior to study
• Private music lessons for a period of 1 year prior to study
• Unwilling or unable to provide informed consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Unity Health Toronto: lead

Study Sites (1)

St. Michael's Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1M8, Canada

Location

Related Publications (13)

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  PMID: 4999943 BACKGROUND

• Pan Z, Park C, Brietzke E, Zuckerman H, Rong C, Mansur RB, Fus D, Subramaniapillai M, Lee Y, McIntyre RS. Cognitive impairment in major depressive disorder. CNS Spectr. 2019 Feb;24(1):22-29. doi: 10.1017/S1092852918001207. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

  PMID: 30468135 BACKGROUND

• McIntyre RS, Soczynska JZ, Woldeyohannes HO, Alsuwaidan MT, Cha DS, Carvalho AF, Jerrell JM, Dale RM, Gallaugher LA, Muzina DJ, Kennedy SH. The impact of cognitive impairment on perceived workforce performance: results from the International Mood Disorders Collaborative Project. Compr Psychiatry. 2015 Jan;56:279-82. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.08.051. Epub 2014 Aug 23.

  PMID: 25439523 BACKGROUND

• Thaut MH, Gardiner JC, Holmberg D, Horwitz J, Kent L, Andrews G, Donelan B, McIntosh GR. Neurologic music therapy improves executive function and emotional adjustment in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 Jul;1169:406-16. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04585.x.

  PMID: 19673815 BACKGROUND

• Hsu WC, Lai HL. Effects of music on major depression in psychiatric inpatients. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2004 Oct;18(5):193-9. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2004.07.007.

  PMID: 15529285 BACKGROUND

• Keilp JG, Gorlyn M, Russell M, Oquendo MA, Burke AK, Harkavy-Friedman J, Mann JJ. Neuropsychological function and suicidal behavior: attention control, memory and executive dysfunction in suicide attempt. Psychol Med. 2013 Mar;43(3):539-51. doi: 10.1017/S0033291712001419. Epub 2012 Jul 10.

  PMID: 22781400 BACKGROUND

• Lam RW, Kennedy SH, Mclntyre RS, Khullar A. Cognitive dysfunction in major depressive disorder: effects on psychosocial functioning and implications for treatment. Can J Psychiatry. 2014 Dec;59(12):649-54. doi: 10.1177/070674371405901206. No abstract available.

  PMID: 25702365 BACKGROUND

• Strait DL, Kraus N. Can you hear me now? Musical training shapes functional brain networks for selective auditory attention and hearing speech in noise. Front Psychol. 2011 Jun 13;2:113. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00113. eCollection 2011.

  PMID: 21716636 BACKGROUND

• Strait DL, Slater J, O'Connell S, Kraus N. Music training relates to the development of neural mechanisms of selective auditory attention. Dev Cogn Neurosci. 2015 Apr;12:94-104. doi: 10.1016/j.dcn.2015.01.001. Epub 2015 Jan 13.

  PMID: 25660985 BACKGROUND

• Thaut MH, McIntosh GC, Hoemberg V. Neurobiological foundations of neurologic music therapy: rhythmic entrainment and the motor system. Front Psychol. 2015 Feb 18;5:1185. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01185. eCollection 2014.

  PMID: 25774137 BACKGROUND

• Zatorre RJ. Musical pleasure and reward: mechanisms and dysfunction. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2015 Mar;1337:202-11. doi: 10.1111/nyas.12677.

  PMID: 25773636 BACKGROUND

• Culpepper L, Lam RW, McIntyre RS. Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Depression: Awareness, Assessment, and Management. J Clin Psychiatry. 2017 Nov/Dec;78(9):1383-1394. doi: 10.4088/JCP.tk16043ah5c.

  PMID: 29345866 BACKGROUND

• Knight MJ, Baune BT. Executive Subdomains Are Differentially Associated With Psychosocial Outcomes in Major Depressive Disorder. Front Psychiatry. 2018 Jul 10;9:309. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00309. eCollection 2018.

  PMID: 30042703 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depressive Disorder, Major; Cognitive Dysfunction; Suicide; Depression

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Depressive Disorder; Mood Disorders; Mental Disorders; Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Self-Injurious Behavior; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• Sakina Rizvi, PhD,MACP,RP

  Unity Health Toronto

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 27, 2022
• First Posted: January 23, 2023
• Study Start: August 17, 2023
• Primary Completion: May 2, 2024
• Study Completion: May 2, 2024
• Last Updated: March 4, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)