Effects of Binaural Beats and Spatialized Music on Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Assisted Living Facility Residents: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Protocol
Maharishi International University
Summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Binaural Beat Music (BBM; personalized music playlist with binaural beats), Spatialized Music (SM; personalized and spatialized music playlist), their combination, and possible interaction on older adults in an assisted living community who are either living with a dementia diagnosis or are experiencing typical age-related changes. The control condition is a personalized music playlist without binaural beats and spatialization. It is hypothesized that BBM, SM, and their combination each improve aspects of BPSD compared to controls over a two-week intervention period. The Specific Aims of the study are (1) to evaluate whether BBM, SM, and/or their combination is superior to control in reducing BPSD severity (primary outcome); (2) to evaluate whether BBM, SM, and/or their combination is superior to control in reducing caregiver distress (secondary outcomes); and (3) to evaluate the effects of BBM, SM, and/or their combination on improving overall well-being and mood (secondary outcomes).
Description
This study will recruit a total of 120 older adults who are permanent residents of the Woodlake Legacy Senior Living (Lakewood, CO) and Woodland Estates Senior Living (Denver, CO) facilities near Denver, Colorado, USA. Recruitment will take place among assisted living and memory care communities at the designated sites. Subjects and/or their legal guardian are required to provide written and informed consent prior to inclusion in the study, in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Before allocation in the study groups, subjects are screened on demographic and medical factors pertaining…