Music Therapy for Autobiographical Memory and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer Disease
Johns Hopkins University
Summary
This study is designed to assess the feasibility that individualized reminiscence-based virtual music therapy sessions can enhance autobiographical memory, mood, and cognition in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's Disease (AD). 60 patients with MCI or mild dementia due to AD will receive two 30 minutes reminiscence-targeted virtual music therapy interventions per week for 8 weeks (a total of 16 sessions). Participants' (or supported by the study partner) self-reported and measurable outcomes including cognitive, anxiety, quality of life, and autobiographical memory will be assessed before and after the 8-week course of treatment. Blood-oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will also be also measured before and after the 8-week course of treatment.
Description
Despite advancements in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's Disease (AD) treatment, patients who live with these symptoms still have many unmet neuropsychiatric needs. In investigating holistic approaches to treatment generally, it is important to utilize non-pharmacological interventions. Kelly and Ahessy implemented reminiscence-focused group music therapy to promote positive mood and engagement through musical expression (e.g. singing, moving, body percussion) and verbal interaction, using thematic sessions that reflected the music preferences of the partici…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–89 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-89 * Mild Cognitive Impairment (MoCA score: 18-25) or Early AD (MoCA score: 17-24) Exclusion Criteria: * Head trauma, traumatic brain injury, or concussion with loss of consciousness for \>2 minutes * Claustrophobia incompatible with MRI scanning * Medical device incompatible with MRI scanning (e.g. cardiac pacemaker, implanted cardiac defibrillator, aneurysm brain clip, inner ear implant) * Prior history as a metal worker and/or certain metallic objects in the body * Exclusion Criteria will be carefully determined by the MRI screening form.
Interventions
- BehavioralVirtual Music Therapy
Each study participant will receive two 30-minute live synchronous virtual music therapy sessions per week for a period of 8 weeks to be delivered by a board-certified music therapist (using Zoom as a primary platform). These individualized therapeutic encounters will use music that is personally meaningful and familiar to the participant and the participant's loved ones to facilitate reminiscence. Decision-making processes made by the music therapist will reflect a flexible session structure and series of intervention choices contingent on each participant's cultural identity, expressive and receptive communication, fine and gross motor ability, affect, orientation to time and place, and personal preferences on any given day.
Location
- Johns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimore, Maryland