Neurophysiological and Neuroendocrinal Benefits of Music Based Interventions for Early Alzheimer's Patients and Their Caregivers
Yale University
Summary
This study aims to provide mechanistic insights into how group drumming as a music-based intervention (MBI) affects pain responses and nociceptive function in individuals with Alzheimer's Disease (AD), mild dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and brain activity will be measured during communal drumming with their dyadic partners and others. Brain activity, blood pressure, cognitive abilities, blood hormone levels, and static and dynamic pain will also be measured during sessions pre and post the 8-week community drum circle. Investigators will leverage various measurement techniques including, but not limited to, electroencephalography (EEG), quantitative sensory testing (QST), behavioral, surveys, and physiological monitoring to study the impact of group drumming on pain and brain activity in AD and inter-dyad synchrony.
Description
Analysis of recordings captured during drum circles will be conducted using music information retrieval, pulse clarity, psychological ethnography, and similar methods. Investigators hypothesize that (1) the communal drum circles will lead to a decrease in dynamic pain (e.g. sensitivity to repeated stimuli), (2) the ability of the brain to change and adapt will be enhanced in the drumming group compared to the control group, (3) change in and synchrony of heart rate between participants might underlie the impact of communal drumming on pain, and (4) group drumming will increase circulating oxyt…