Schedule of Events | Symposia

Sketchpad Series

Sound Minds: Testing a novel Cognitive Framework for Rhythm-focused MBIs to address age-related cognitive declines

Poster Session A - Saturday, March 29, 2025, 3:00 – 5:00 pm EDT, Back Bay Ballroom/Republic Ballroom

Cloie Dobias¹ (dobias.c@northeastern.edu), Maruša Laure^1,2, Pierre-Valery Tchetgen¹, Susanne Jaeggi¹, Aaron Seitz¹; ¹Northeastern University, ²University of Maribor

This sketchpad proposes a feasibility study of rhythm-focused Music-based interventions (MBIs) within a cognitive framework. Rhythm-focused MBIs have shown promise to improve executive functions and other health-related outcomes among adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). However, extant studies lack mechanistic approaches, controls, power, and rigorous and replicable methods. These limitations are addressed by following NIH MBI Toolkit guidelines with a theory-based cognitive framework in a clinical trial testing how rhythm-focused MBIs can ameliorate age-related cognitive decline. The primary intervention is a cognitively complex rhythm-based MBI employing “naturalistic” conversational drumming approaches. Participants will learn probabilistic sequences based upon musical grammars, spatially map sounds on “virtual instruments”, and practice call-response behaviors. The control is a standard rhythm-based MBI tapping game where participants follow the beat. These MBIs will be piloted in adults 60+ to test adherence, acceptability, and engagement. Potential findings will inform the extent to which these interventions are well-tolerated and effectively exercise the proposed cognitive constructs, as well as the feasibility of at-home implementation of the interventions and outcome measures. This research will provide fundamental information to motivate future studies addressing efficacy of rhythm-focused MBIs as tools for healthy cognitive aging, which is an important step towards the long-term goal of testing the extent to which rhythm-focused MBIs cognitively engage patients with mild cognitive impairment and ADRD.

Topic Area: EXECUTIVE PROCESSES: Development &aging