Musical Stimulation for Aging

(Multimodal Trial)

Overseen By Corinna Parrish

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Northeastern University

Must not be taking: Cholinesterase inhibitors, Psychotropic

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Parkinson's, Stroke, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how music and light together might improve memory and brain function in older adults. The study compares two groups: one receiving only light and the other receiving both music and light through Multimodal Musical Stimulation. The goal is to determine if this combination can reverse cognitive decline associated with aging. Suitable participants have normal vision, no more than mild hearing loss, and no recent history of neurological or psychiatric conditions.

As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance cognitive health in aging populations.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it mentions that you should not have recently changed the dosage of cholinesterase inhibitors or psychotropic medication. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.

What prior data suggests that this musical stimulation device is safe for aging individuals?

Research shows that combining music with light patterns, known as multimodal musical stimulation, is generally well-tolerated. Studies have explored how this stimulation might enhance memory and brain function through specific light and sound patterns. In some cases, it has helped maintain brain health and improve mood.

No major reports of harmful side effects have emerged from similar methods, suggesting that this treatment is safe. However, individual experiences may vary. Consulting a healthcare provider before joining a trial is important to determine if it's suitable. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the use of multimodal musical stimulation for aging because it introduces a novel approach that combines visual and auditory elements. Unlike standard treatments for cognitive decline in older adults, which often involve medication or cognitive training, this method employs lights and music together, potentially enhancing brain activity through gamma-band stimulation. This non-invasive approach might offer a safer alternative with fewer side effects and could improve cognitive function more effectively by directly engaging the brain's sensory pathways.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for improving working memory in aging?

Research shows that combining music with lights set to a specific rhythm may improve memory in older adults. This trial will compare two forms of stimulation: Visual (lights-only) and Audiovisual (music-plus-lights). Studies have found that this type of stimulation can enhance brain function and improve neural connections. It has helped maintain thinking skills and improve mood in some cases of dementia. One study showed that listening to sounds at a 40 Hz frequency daily for a week reduced certain proteins linked to memory issues. These findings suggest that using music and lights together might slow down or even reverse memory decline with age. ^{1 2 4 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Psyche Loui, PhD

Principal Investigator

Northeastern University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older and younger adults with normal or corrected vision, mild or no hearing loss, no recent neurological/psychiatric disorders, and not on medication affecting cognition/music response. Those with moderate/severe hearing loss, uncorrectable visual impairment, unstable medication for cognition, major neurologic conditions or serious health issues are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

I am not on medication that affects my thinking or how I react to music.

I have not had recent mental health or neurological issues.

I have mild or no hearing loss.

Exclusion Criteria

Recent history of serious physical trauma

I have moderate to severe hearing loss.

I recently changed my dose of medication for brain function or mood.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive multimodal musical stimulation and control stimulation conditions to test the effects on working memory and electroencephalography.

8 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Multimodal Musical Stimulation

Trial Overview The study investigates the impact of multimodal musical stimulation versus sham (control) on working memory in aging individuals. It's a Stage I randomized controlled trial that also examines brain activity through electroencephalography to see if music can reverse cognitive decline.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Older Adults Gamma (OAg) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The assignment of older adults to OA and OAg will be randomized. The within-subjects factor of stimulation modality includes 2 levels, to be administered in counterbalanced order: Visual (V, i.e., lights-only) and Audiovisual (AV, i.e., music-plus-lights). Each subject will be aware that they are receiving V and AV stimulation, and thus infer that we are comparing these two forms of stimulation and therefore assessing the effects of music. However, and important to the design of this study, all subjects will be blinded with respect to their group assignment; i.e., they will not know, until post-study debriefing, about the other arms of the study, and that the gamma-band stimulation is an active ingredient of the intervention.

Group II: Older Adults (OA) Placebo Group 1 Intervention

The assignment of older adults to OA and OAg will be randomized. The within-subjects factor of stimulation modality includes 2 levels, to be administered in counterbalanced order: Visual (V, i.e., lights-only) and Audiovisual (AV, i.e., music-plus-lights). Each subject will be aware that they are receiving V and AV stimulation, and thus infer that we are comparing these two forms of stimulation and therefore assessing the effects of music. However, and important to the design of this study, all subjects will be blinded with respect to their group assignment; i.e., they will not know, until post-study debriefing, about the other arms of the study, and that the gamma-band stimulation is an active ingredient of the intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northeastern University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

103

Recruited

72,600+

Published Research Related to This Trial

An 8-week personalized music-based intervention (MBI) in cognitively unimpaired older adults led to significant changes in brain connectivity, particularly between auditory regions and the medial prefrontal cortex, suggesting a neural mechanism for the benefits of music on healthy aging.

Participants' ratings of music liking and familiarity influenced brain activation in auditory and reward networks, indicating that personal engagement with music can enhance the effectiveness of MBIs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Longitudinal changes in auditory and reward systems following receptive music-based intervention in older adults. Quinci, MA., Belden, A., Goutama, V., et al.[2023]

Music-based interventions (MBIs) engage various brain circuits and show potential therapeutic benefits for different health conditions, as supported by research from the National Institutes of Health.

Utilizing advanced technologies like human brain imaging and animal models, researchers can analyze how MBIs affect motor, emotional, and cognitive functions, paving the way for more effective evidence-based applications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music and Brain Circuitry: Strategies for Strengthening Evidence-Based Research for Music-Based Interventions. Chen, WG., Iversen, JR., Kao, MH., et al.[2023]

In a year-long study involving three case studies, gamma stimulation using 40 Hz auditory sound significantly helped maintain cognitive function and improve mood in participants with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment.

The therapy was administered through a vibroacoustic chair for 30 minutes, five times a week, suggesting a structured approach that may be beneficial, but further research is needed to fully integrate this intervention into dementia care strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-Term Multi-Sensory Gamma Stimulation of Dementia Patients: A Case Series Report. Clements-Cortes, A., Bartel, L.[2023]

In a study investigating auditory stimulation methods, 40 Hz sinusoidal sounds produced the strongest neural response in the prefrontal region when participants' eyes were closed, suggesting enhanced cognitive engagement.

The use of 40 Hz square wave sounds was found to suppress alpha rhythms, indicating a potential new approach to auditory entrainment that could improve cognitive performance and help prevent cerebral atrophy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancement of the neural response during 40 Hz auditory entrainment in closed-eye state in human prefrontal region. Han, C., Zhao, X., Li, M., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 32 stroke patients, music-supported therapy significantly improved both fine and gross motor skills, enhancing speed, precision, and smoothness of movements over 15 sessions in 3 weeks.

Electrophysiological measures indicated that this therapy led to better cortical connectivity and activation of the motor cortex, suggesting that music-supported therapy not only aids motor recovery but also promotes neural reorganization after a stroke.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neural reorganization underlies improvement in stroke-induced motor dysfunction by music-supported therapy. Altenmüller, E., Marco-Pallares, J., Münte, TF., et al.[2009]

In a study examining neural entrainment to musical rhythms using EEG, both younger and older adults showed strong phase-locking to musical pulse, indicating preserved rhythmic processing in aging populations.

The findings suggest that self-selected music can be used in interventions to enhance cognitive aging, as older adults maintain similar neural responses to musical rhythms as younger adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neural Entrainment to Musical Pulse in Naturalistic Music Is Preserved in Aging: Implications for Music-Based Interventions. Tichko, P., Page, N., Kim, JC., et al.[2023]

In a study involving three chronic stroke patients, Music-Supported Therapy was found to enhance auditory-motor interaction, as indicated by similar neural beta-band activity during both listening and motor tasks.

Post-training assessments showed a significant decrease in beta activity after tone onset and improvements in arm and hand skills, suggesting that music-based rehabilitation can effectively support motor recovery in stroke patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changes in neuromagnetic beta-band oscillation after music-supported stroke rehabilitation. Fujioka, T., Ween, JE., Jamali, S., et al.[2016]

Neurologic music therapy utilizes music to help patients with nervous system disorders by activating brain processes that can improve non-musical functions, making it a valuable alternative treatment.

Clinical studies show that rehabilitation incorporating music significantly outperforms traditional methods without music, particularly in treating conditions like stroke, brain injury, and dementia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy in neurological rehabilitation settings. Galińska, E.[2017]

Gamma entrainment through non-invasive auditory stimulation at 40 Hz has shown potential in enhancing beta amyloid uptake and improving cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease, making it a promising therapeutic approach.

A study involving 13 elderly participants with memory complaints recorded EEG signals during auditory stimulation, providing valuable data for understanding brain oscillatory activity and its implications for dementia treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Non-invasive auditory brain stimulation for gamma-band entrainment in dementia patients: An EEG dataset. Lahijanian, M., Sedghizadeh, MJ., Aghajan, H., et al.[2022]

A 3-month music training program significantly reduced theta power associated with response suppression in older adults, indicating improved executive control mechanisms as measured by high-density EEG during a visual task.

In contrast, visual art training and a control group showed no significant changes, highlighting the unique neuroplastic effects of music interventions on brain activity related to cognitive control.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music training modulates theta brain oscillations associated with response suppression. Lu, J., Moussard, A., Guo, S., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/FIHE_HkhxkCQvf0SgXRE7g/project-details/10584522

Multimodal Musical Stimulation for Healthy Neurocognitive ... We hypothesize that gamma-band modulations inserted in lights, when coupled with music listening, can improve memory in older adults by frequency-tuning to ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9899516/

Integrating music-based interventions with Gamma-frequency ... From our review, we have identified four possible mechanisms through which Gamma-MBIs could improve clinical outcomes for patients with dementia and cognitive ...

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-024-63727-z

Auditory gamma-band entrainment enhances default mode ... This study investigates the effectiveness of entrainment in terms of promoting neural synchrony and spatial connectivity across the cortex.

4. mdpi.com mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/23/15553

Long-Term Multi-Sensory Gamma Stimulation of Dementia ... This study reports on three case studies where the use of gamma stimulation over one year contributed to maintenance of cognition and increases in mood

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/aging-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2022.1095081/full

An update on the use of gamma (multi)sensory stimulation ... They showed that 1-h daily exposure to 40 Hz auditory stimulation for 1 week results in a frequency-specific effect in terms of Aβ reduction in ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763424001507

Therapeutic potential of gamma entrainment using sensory ... This paper reviews the current status of schizophrenia treatment and explores the use of sensory stimulation as an adjunctive treatment, specifically through ...