Effect of Music Interventions
Effect of Music Interventions
Effect of Music Interventions
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the current systematic review was to examine the effects of music interventions on cog-
nitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A systematic search of CINAHL,
PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases was performed. Studies examining the effects of mu-
sic interventions on cognitive function in older adults with MCI were included. Narrative synthesis for
cognitive outcomes postintervention was performed. A total of 11 articles met inclusion criteria. Music
interventions significantly improved global cognitive function, verbal fluency, executive function, and
spatial function in older adults with MCI. Included studies were heterogeneous in terms of the type of
intervention, cognitive assessment tool, and intervention duration. Six studies were at risk of bias due to
missing data and confounding factors. Our findings suggest that music interventions can be an effective
strategy to improve cognitive function for older adults with MCI. However, findings should be interpreted
with caution. More rigorous studies with various types of music interventions investigating cognitive
domain–specific effects are needed. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, xx(x), xx-xx.]
In an aging society with increased life expectancy, a sig- Cognitive impairment ranges from mild to severe. Mild
nificant number of people have cognitive impairment, with cognitive impairment (MCI) is the stage of transition be-
a 19% average prevalence worldwide (Pais et al., 2020). A tween a normal cognitive state for age and a state of de-
recent study identified that two of three American individ- mentia (Domínguez-Chávez et al., 2019). Two subtypes of
uals experience cognitive problems by age 70 years (Hale et MCI are amnestic (aMCI) and nonamnestic MCI (naMCI).
al., 2020). Cognitive impairment is a serious public health Although memory impairment is prominent in aMCI, in
concern, given that medical costs are 44% higher for pa- naMCI, memory remains intact, but one (single-domain)
tients with cognitive impairment than for those without or more other cognitive domains (multiple-domain) are
cognitive impairment (Zhu et al., 2013), and the average impaired (Csukly et al., 2016; Dunn et al., 2014). For ex-
cost burdens related to patients with cognitive impair- ample, the cognitive domains impacted by naMCI include
ment were estimated to be $280,000 per person in 2021 attention, language ability, executive function, and visuo-
(Favreault & Johnson, 2021). spatial function (Taler & Phillips, 2008). People with aMCI
2)
Control
group
(n=40)
2 Biasutti & 1) 83.6 Mild-moderate 1) Music training Modern music 70 minutes General cognitive The intervention group
Mangiaco Experim cognitive program: (top-ten hits twice a week function (MMSE) significantly improved
tti ental impairment imitation, creation, from the period for 12 weeks Access skills and compared to the baseline
2018 group identified via and executive of training), lexical retrieval at 12 weeks on the MMSE
Italy (n=18) MMSE and rhythm – body & famous Italian (VFT) (p < .001); VFT (p < .013);
healthy aging instrument music Spatial planning, and CDT (p < .001).
2) percussion/scat (belonging to selective attention,
Control singing the participants’ psychomotor speed There was a significant
group youth) (TMT A) reduction in AMT in the
(n=17) 2) Gymnastic Visual selective control group (p < .05).
activities attention (AMT)
Praxis skills, mental
representation,
planning, logical
skills (CDT)
3 Cacciafest 1) N=12 Age MCI identified Listening to music 1) K448 by 1) once Spatial-temporal Significant improvement
a et al. range via MMSE or Mozart and Für abilities (PFC) in
2010 2) N=10 66– subjective Elise by 2) 6 months Episodic learning (3
Italy 77 memory Beethoven daily objects, 3 places) 1) Mozart’s K448:
3) N=11 disorder 2) K448 by Ideational-praxis PFC test – all 12 patients
(another Mozart 3) once abilities (Clock test) Rey’s 15 words test — 10
group) 3) Other Immediate recall out of 12 patients
compositions (Rey’s 15 words Other tests did not show
with a different test) significant improvement.
index of Attention (TMT
periodicity than A&B) Beethoven’s Für Elise:
K448 Memory for All tests did not show
numbers (Digit significant improvement.
span)
2) Mozart’s K448:
After 6 months, 10 of all
remaining patients
showed improvement in
the PFC test.
3) Other compositions
with a different index of
periodicity with K448: No
significant variation.
4 Doi et al. 1) Dance 76 MCI identified 1) Dancing with an Not detailed 60 minutes Memory (Story The dance intervention
2017 (n=67) via subjective instructor (ballroom once a week memory and word group significantly
Japan 2) cognitive dance, including for 40 weeks list memory tests) improved compared to
Playing complaints, salsa, rumba, waltz, General cognitive the control at 10 months
musical objective cha-cha, blues, function (MMSE) on the story memory test
instrume cognitive jitterbug, and Attention & (p = .011) and the MMSE
nts impairment tango) executive function (p = .026)
(n=67) assessed by (TMT A &TMT B)
tests of memory 2) Playing The playing instruments
3) Health and nonmemory percussion intervention group
educatio domains instruments (e.g., significantly improved
n control conga), improvised compared to the control
group on the musical at 10 months on the
(n=67) scores MMSE (p = .008)
7 Lake & 1) MCI 70.2 Amnestic MCI Listening to music “Spring” 10 minutes Attention (RBANS: There was no significant
Goldstein group diagnosed by via headphones movement of for one time Digit Span & difference between the
2011 (n=12) experienced Four Seasons by Coding; DRS) music listening and the
USA neurologists and Vivaldi silence condition.
2) neuropsychologi
Cognitive sts
ly intact (subjective
group memory
(n=12) complaint/objec
tive memory
impairment)
8 Lazarou et 1) 66.9 Amnestic MCI 1) International Special music 60-minute Global cognition The intervention group
al. Ballroom based on Ballroom Dancing depending on sessions (MMSE, MoCA) significantly improved
2017 dancing Petersen with special music the type of twice a week Daily function compared to the control
Greece group criteria: (1) (tango, waltz, dance for 10 (FUCAS) at 10 months on the
(n=66) memory Viennese waltz, fox months Memory (RBMT) MMSE (p < .01); MoCA (p
complaint, (2) trot, rumba, cha- Verbal fluency (FAS) = .03); TEA (p = .002);
2) normal activities cha, swing, salsa, Executive function RAVLT (p = .003); FAS (p
Control of daily living, merengue, (ROCFT-copy and = .005); RBMT (p’s < .005);
group (3) normal disco–hustle, Greek delayed recall; TMT and ROCFT (p’s < 0.01).
(n=63) general traditional ballroom B)
cognitive dancing) Learning (RAVLT) The intervention group
function, (4) Attention (TEA) significantly improved
abnormal compared to the baseline
memory for age, 2) No intervention at 10 months on the FAS
and (5) not (p < .01); ROCFT (p
demented; = .004); RAVLT (p = .001);
stage 3 of the TEA (p = .03); and RAVLTI
disease (p = .002).
according to
Global
Deterioration The control group
Scale significantly worsened at
10 months on the MMSE,
FUCAS, ROCFT delay
recall, RBMT delay recall,
FRSSD, RAVLT, and TEA
map.
9 Shimizu et 1) 74.6 MCI defined by 1) Repetitive Various songs 60 minutes Frontal lobe function The intervention group
al. Moveme Pertersen rhythmic (e.g., Astro Boy, once a week (FAB) significantly improved
2018 nt music criteria; movements with Samba of for 12 weeks compared to the baseline
Japan therapy memory music and the use ladybug, Yosakoi at 12 weeks on the FAB (p
(MMT; impairment of the Naruko Icchorai Ondo, = .008).
n= 30) checklist ≥ 1 clapper Kiyoshi’s
Zundoko)
item
2) 2) Same exercises
Exercise performed in the
group MMT group without
(n=9) background music
10 Wang et 1) 81.1 MCI identified 1) Stepping exercise Not detailed 40 minutes Global cognition (MMSE, There was no significant
al. Square based on four and following the three times MoCA) difference after the
2020 dancing criteria: (1) rhythm of the music a week for intervention at 6 weeks
China group subjective 12 weeks on the MoCA or MMSE.
(n=33) cognition 2) Usual lifestyle
decline; (2) The intervention group
2) MMSE>24; (3) significantly improved
Control MoCA<26; (4) compared to the baseline
group activities of at 12 weeks on the MoCA
(n=33) daily living < 26 (p = .001) and MMSE (p
< .001).