Music-Enhanced Exercise for Seniors

(iSTEP Trial)

No longer recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Shin Park, PhD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Must not be taking: Alzheimer's medications, others

Disqualifiers: Neurological disorder, Cancer treatment, Stroke, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 6 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether adding beat-accented music to exercise routines can improve physical activity habits and enhance mood in older adults. Participants will engage in strength and aerobic exercises, either with music guiding their movements or without. The trial focuses on determining if music makes exercising more enjoyable and beneficial for both body and mind. Individuals aged 65 or older, who can walk without pain and currently engage in less than an hour of moderate exercise per week, might be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for participants to explore innovative ways to enhance their exercise experience and overall well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are using medication for Alzheimer's disease or have changed the dosage of anxiety or depression medications in the last 6 months, you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that beat-accented music stimulation is safe for older adults?

Research has shown that beat-accented music stimulation (BMS) during exercise can be safe and enjoyable. In one study, participants exercised to music that matched their workout pace, which helped them stick with the program. Another study found that adding music made exercise more fun and increased participation frequency.

These studies reported no serious problems from using BMS, suggesting that music enhances exercise tolerance. Participants generally had a positive experience, which can help maintain motivation.

Overall, these findings suggest that BMS is a safe way to make exercise more enjoyable for seniors. While the studies don't mention specific safety concerns, the positive feedback and increased participation indicate that most people respond well to this approach. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Music-Enhanced Exercise for Seniors trial because it explores how beat-accented music stimulation (BMS) can enhance traditional exercise routines. Unlike standard exercise programs that focus solely on physical movements, this approach integrates music to help synchronize movements, potentially improving balance and coordination. The idea is that music can make exercise more enjoyable and engaging, encouraging seniors to stick with their fitness routines longer. This innovative method could lead to better outcomes in physical health and overall well-being for seniors.

What evidence suggests that beat-accented music stimulation is effective for enhancing physical activity in seniors?

Research has shown that music with a strong beat, known as beat-accented music (BMS), can encourage older adults to be more active than regular music. In this trial, one group of participants will engage in an exercise program enhanced with BMS, while another group will follow the same program without music. Studies have found that exercising with BMS increases happiness and makes exercise seem easier. This can motivate seniors to exercise more by making it more enjoyable and less tiring. Additionally, music with clear beats helps individuals move in time with the music, potentially making the exercise more effective. Overall, BMS might enhance both physical and mental health in older adults by making exercise a more enjoyable experience. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jennifer L Etnier, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Kyoungshin Park, PhD

Principal Investigator

Emory University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for cognitively normal older adults who are interested in improving their physical activity. Participants will engage in supervised group strength and aerobic exercises, with some sessions incorporating beat-accented music stimulation (BMS).

Inclusion Criteria

Having a reliable means of transportation

Having a safe place (at least 6 feet by 6 feet of open space) at home for unsupervised exercise training

Having no self-perceived memory complaints

Exclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with clinical depression.

I have hearing or vision problems that haven't been corrected.

One of the household members is participating in this study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a supervised group strength training and aerobic exercise program with or without beat-accented music stimulation for 6 months

6 months

3 visits/week for 2 months, 1 visit/week for 2 months, independent for 2 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in physical activity behaviors, psychological responses, and cognitive functioning

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Beat-accented music stimulation (BMS)

Trial Overview

The study aims to see if BMS can positively affect exercise behavior and psychological responses over a 6-month period. It also looks at how exercising with BMS might impact physical and cognitive functions, as well as quality of life.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Exercise and music stimulation Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants are given an aerobic and strength training program with faded supervision across 6 months. For aerobic exercise (AE), participants will be instructed to walk at moderate intensity with duration increasing up to an ultimate goal of 150 min/week. Participants will be trained to walk in synchrony with the beats of their personalized playlists. The strength training (ST) incorporates single-leg exercises for balance training and training with resistance bands and body weight. During the ST, participants will be asked to synchronize their concentric and eccentric muscle contractions in time with the tempo of BMS playlists at a specific beats-per-minute rhythm.

Group II: Exercise only Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants are given an aerobic and strength training program with faded supervision across 6 months. The ST incorporates single-leg exercises for balance training and training with resistance bands and body weight. For aerobic exercise (AE), participants will be instructed to walk at moderate intensity with duration increasing up to an ultimate goal of 150 min/week.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Lead Sponsor

Trials

33

Recruited

16,700+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

High groove music significantly improved gait speed in both younger and older adults during rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS), with synchronized walking maximizing these benefits.

Older adults with poor beat perception were more adversely affected by unfamiliar music while walking, indicating that familiarity and cognitive demands should be considered when using RAS in clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Gait in younger and older adults during rhythmic auditory stimulation is influenced by groove, familiarity, beat perception, and synchronization demands. Ready, EA., Holmes, JD., Grahn, JA.[2022]

In a study involving 45 residents from long-term care facilities, both Patterned Sensory Enhanced music (PSE) and big band background music were found to enhance exercise performance and participant enjoyment, with no significant differences in satisfaction levels between the two music types.

While PSE showed consistency in the number of repetitions led during exercises, it did not prove to be more effective than big band music for improving performance in most exercises.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative effectiveness of exercise with patterned sensory enhanced music and background music for long-term care residents. O'Konski, M., Bane, C., Hettinga, J., et al.[2019]

In a study of 60 adults with chronic non-malignant pain, both types of music (researcher-provided and subject-preferred) significantly reduced pain, depression, and disability compared to a control group.

The findings suggest that music can enhance the effects of pain relief treatments and empower patients, although there was no significant difference in effectiveness between the two types of music used.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of music on power, pain, depression and disability. Siedliecki, SL., Good, M.[2022]

In a study involving 22 older adults in cardiac rehabilitation, sedative music significantly reduced perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate (HR), while also improving participants' feeling status during exercise.

Stimulating music, on the other hand, only increased heart rate and did not provide the same benefits for perceived exertion or feeling status as sedative music, indicating that sedative music is more effective for enhancing exercise experience in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical Outcomes of Different Tempos of Music During Exercise in Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients. Miller, JS., Terbizan, DJ.[2019]

Listening to high BPM (150-170) music during stationary bike workouts helped 28 female participants reach their target heart rate zone faster compared to exercising without music.

Once participants reached 75% of their maximum heart rate, the presence of rhythmical qualities in music was important to maintain or increase heart rate levels, indicating that both tempo and rhythm play a role in exercise performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of rhythmical and extra-rhythmical qualities of music on heart rate during stationary bike activities. DI Cagno, A., Iuliano, E., Fiorilli, G., et al.[2022]

This pilot study involving 10 participants with traumatic brain injury (TBI) explored the feasibility and potential benefits of rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) over a 2-week treatment period, showing improvements in gait parameters without any adverse events.

After the RAS intervention, 50% of participants improved their Functional Gait Assessment scores, indicating they were no longer at high risk of falling, highlighting the potential efficacy of RAS in enhancing mobility in TBI patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation and Gait Training in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Pilot Study. Thompson, S., Hays, K., Weintraub, A., et al.[2021]

In a study of 14 patients with claudication, rhythmic auditory music stimulation significantly increased total walking distance by an average of 22.1 meters compared to no music, indicating its potential as an effective intervention for improving walking ability.

The use of rhythmically enhanced music also improved functional claudication distance by 40.0 meters, suggesting that this approach could motivate patients and enhance adherence to exercise rehabilitation programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rhythmic Auditory Music Stimulation Enhances Walking Distance in Patients With Claudication: A FEASIBILITY STUDY. Bronas, UG., Everett, S., Steffen, A., et al.[2020]

Older adults using the Jymmin® system, which combines music-making with exercise, were able to work out significantly longer (about 66 seconds more) compared to traditional workouts while maintaining the same level of perceived exertion.

The study suggests that the musical feedback from Jymmin® may enhance physical endurance and encourage better pacing during strength-endurance exercises, potentially leading to improved muscle effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Musical feedback system Jymmin® leads to enhanced physical endurance in the elderly-A feasibility study. Rehfeld, K., Fritz, TH., Prinz, A., et al.[2022]

Listening to preferred warm-up music significantly improved exercise performance, leading to higher relative power output and faster rowing times compared to no music, based on a study with 12 participants.

Non-preferred music did not provide any performance benefits, and motivation to exercise was notably higher when participants listened to their preferred music before the workout.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Preferred and Nonpreferred Warm-Up Music on Exercise Performance. Karow, MC., Rogers, RR., Pederson, JA., et al.[2021]

In a study with 27 physically active participants, different types of music significantly reduced perceived exertion during 20 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise compared to exercising without music.

All music conditions (fast upbeat, classical, and self-selected) led to lower ratings of perceived exertion, suggesting that music can effectively distract and enhance the exercise experience without affecting heart rate or exercise intensity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of music on ratings of perceived exertion during 20 minutes of moderate intensity exercise. Potteiger, JA., Schroeder, JM., Goff, KL.[2022]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10475546/

Music-based multicomponent exercise training for community ...

These findings suggest that the distinctive combination of music with accented beats can dramatically increase PA above and beyond beat-unaccented music.

2.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06364189

Inspiring Seniors Toward Exercise Promotion

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the benefits of beat-accented music stimulation (BMS) for behavioral changes of physical activity (PA) in older ...

3.

medrxiv.org

medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.30.23289323v1.full-text

Feasibility of multicomponent exercise training with beat- ...

We further demonstrated increased positive affect and reduced RPE by exercising with Beat-accentuated Music Stimulation (BMS) in an acute phase ...

4.

trialfinder.panfoundation.org

trialfinder.panfoundation.org/en-US/trial/listing/571758

Inspiring Seniors Towards Exercise Promotion to Protect ...

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the benefits of beat-accented music stimulation (BMS) for behavioral changes of physical activity ...

5.

researchgate.net

researchgate.net/publication/370553899_Feasibility_of_multicomponent_exercise_training_with_beat-accentuated_music_among_community-dwelling_older_adults_with_mild-to-moderate_cognitive_decline

Feasibility of multicomponent exercise training with beat- ...

Conclusions These findings support the feasibility of music-based, multicomponent exercise training for older adults in an independent living facility and set ...

6.

frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1021825/full

Exploring the use of music to promote physical activity

Adding music to PA evokes hedonic responses (e.g., positive affect, reduced RPE, exercise enjoyment, arousal, etc.) and this leads to hedonic motivation or ACMS ...

7.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10833993/

Use of rhythmic music during exercise activities for the ...

Results showed increased levels of participation during the experimental condition observations where rhythmic music accompanied the exercise activities. The ...

8.

trial.medpath.com

trial.medpath.com/clinical-trial/3d7744e22c685be8/nct06496425-music-stimulation-physical-activity-older-adults-dementia

Inspiring Seniors Towards Exercise Promotion to Protect ...

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the benefits of beat-accented music stimulation (BMS) for behavioral changes of physical activity (PA) in older ...