Musical Engagement of brain LObes in Alzheimer's Disease patients study (MELODY): A randomized controlled trial

Journal

International Psychogeriatrics

Year

2025

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of music exposure on global clinical impact, arousal, and brain network connectivity in subjects with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease (AD). DESIGN: This was a pilot, controlled, single-blind, randomized, cross-over study. SETTING: The University Hospital Outpatient Clinic and Imaging Center and the Veterans Administration Research Facility. PARTICIPANTS: Ten participants aged between 55 and 90 years with moderate to severe AD, a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 5-20, and without neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia were enrolled in the study. INTERVENTION: Participants were exposed to both preferred music (PM) and nature sounds (NS). A randomization program was used to determine assignment order for either PM or NS to be delivered via over-ear headphones at Visit 1. Visit 2, which occurred approximately one week later, was identical to Visit 1, but the participants who were originally exposed to PM were exposed to NS and vice versa. MEASUREMENTS: A modified version of the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS-CGIC) was the primary outcome measure and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were used to evaluate brain network connectivity. RESULTS: There was a clinically and statistically significant positive response to music stimulation in the primary outcome measure and in the secondary outcome measure, as well as a clear differentiation in brain network connectivity when individuals were exposed to PM versus NS. There was also a strong correlation between clinical changes and brain network connectivity changes as documented by fMRI. CONCLUSIONS: Music has the potential to be utilized as a non-invasive method to stimulate the brain of individuals with severe cognitive impairment in key functions TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT05309369) by Jacobo Mintzer, MD, MBA.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Neurodegenerative Disorders; Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Music Medicine; Receptive Music Methods; Music Listening; Recorded Music Listening; Cognitive Abilities

Indexed Terms

Elderly; Elderly; Alzheimer Disease; Brain; Brain stimulation; Cross-Over Studies; Dementia; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neuropsychological Tests; Pilot Projects; Single-Blind Method

Study Type

Randomized Controlled Trial; Quantitative Methods

PubMed ID

PMID: 40414740

Document Type

Article

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