MusiCare: Music Therapy & Innovative Technology.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
MusiCare: Protecting Cognitive Functions and Wellbeing Using Music Therapy & Innovative Technology in an Aging Population
IRAS ID
293471
Contact name
Fabia Franco
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Middlesex University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
The number of older people living with cognitive impairment or dementia has increased the need for simple, inexpensive interventions to improve the quality of life for such individuals and their families. Policy-makers sensitive to issues associated with mental health challenges in aging have embraced social prescribing, and a wealth of research has flourished to study non-pharmacological forms of preventative intervention. Can music-therapy(MT) be one of them? We know that music stimulates a range of cognitive and social functions. However, scientific studies assessing the value of MT for those who need support in later life are limited, and rigorous research is required to generate robust scientific evidence. The focus of this study is on developing novel forms of intervention for older adults who are healthy or experiencing mild-to-moderate cognitive decline, aiming at [i]understanding whether MT could be used in preventive programs to support cognitive functions, [ii]identifying the best match between types of MT and levels of cognitive decline. Moreover, recent developments of Robotic-Assistance-Technologies offer opportunities to explore how such technologies may be used to contribute to older adults wellbeing when integrated within care routines to facilitate MT delivery.
Spanning across three-studies, we will investigate psychosocial benefits of 5-month MT interventions(one2one vs small-group MT) in healthy older adults and impaired older adults in care-homes, compared to standard care. This latter group will receive MT afterwards. Further, we will investigate whether Robotic-Assistance-Technologies may enrich our interventions and have additional benefits for the participants and translatability for community-based services.
In order to measure these effects, psychological (cognitive functions, wellbeing, quality of life) and physiological(hormonal, cardiovascular & brain activity) measures will be compared before/after the intervention.
The study will elucidate relationships between different types of MT and benefits to participants wellbeing, cognitive functions & social engagement, as well as the impact of robotic assistive technologies in public health services and social care
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0476
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jul 2021
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion