Music for the Mind Study

NCT06866327 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: STUDY00010048
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 19
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

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

Keywords

music; memory; mood; emotion; well-being

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Percent of participants who complete the 12-week program they are randomly assigned to

  The proportion of participants who complete the program. Feasibility of retention is defined as \> 80% of enrolled participants in each group complete at least 10 lesson sessions.

  From enrollment to the end of the program at 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Expectancy of the 12-week program they are randomly assigned to

  At enrollment

• Percent of participants who are approached and consent to the study

  At enrollment

Other Outcomes (2)

• Acceptability of the 12-week program they are randomly assigned to

  At enrollment, at the end of the program at 12 weeks

• Satisfaction of the 12-week program they are randomly assigned to

  At the end of the program at 12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Piano lessons

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Behavioral: Piano lessons

Music lessons

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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

Behavioral: Music Lessons

Interventions

Piano lessons BEHAVIORAL

The program consists of 12-weekly piano lessons, alternating small group lessons and individual lessons each week. Individual lessons reinforce and help personalize what is instructed during group lessons. Lessons are tailored to help older adults with memory challenges learn note reading, finger positioning, and song playing. Participants are asked to practice at home in between lessons for 10 minutes per day, 5 times per week, with a keyboard and bench provided.

Piano lessons

Music Lessons BEHAVIORAL

The program consists of 12-weekly music lessons, alternating small group lessons and individual lessons each week. Individual lessons reinforce and help personalize what is instructed during group lessons. Lessons are tailored to help older adults with memory challenges learn various instruments, engage in group playing during group lessons, and engage in music appreciation activities. Participants are asked to practice at home in between lessons for 10 minutes per day, 5 times per week, with instruments provided.

Music lessons

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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)

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Rochester: lead
• Eastman Performing Arts Medicine Center: collaborator
• University of Rochester Aging Institute: collaborator
• University of Rochester School of Nursing: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

School of Nursing

Rochester, New York, 14620, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cognitive Dysfunction; Memory Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 4, 2025
• First Posted: March 10, 2025
• Study Start: February 24, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 30, 2025
• Study Completion: September 30, 2025
• Last Updated: April 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)