Musical dual-task training in patients with mild-to-moderate dementia: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background/aims

Dual-task training may improve dual-task gait performance, balance, and cognition in older adults with and without cognitive impairment. Although music has been widely utilized in dementia management, there are no existing protocols for music-based dual-task training. This randomized controlled study developed a Musical Dual-Task Training (MDTT) protocol that patients with dementia can use to practice walking and making music simultaneously, to enhance attention control in patients during dual-tasking.

Methods

Twenty-eight adults diagnosed with mild-to-moderate dementia were assigned to the MDTT (n=15) or control groups (n=13). The MDTT group received MDTT, while the control group participated in non-musical cognitive and walking activities. The effects of MDTT were evaluated through the primary outcome of attention control, and secondary outcomes of dual-task performance, balance, falls efficacy, and agitation.

Results

The MDTT group showed a significant improvement in attention control, while the control group did not (P<0.001). A significant effect favored MDTT over control treatment for the secondary outcome of falls efficacy (P=0.02) and agitation (P<0.01).

Conclusion

MDTT, a music therapy intervention that demands a high level of cognitive processing, enhances attention control, falls efficacy, and helps alleviate agitation in patients with mild-to-moderate dementia.

Keywords:

• music therapy
• dementia
• attention
• agitation
• incidental falls

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Taiwan (grant numbers EMRPD 1C0291, 1B0341, and 1A0861). The authors wish to thank all the participants in this study, Dr Wen-Chuin Hsu and colleagues in Dementia Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Taoyuan, Dr Jean Chou, the former director of the Songshan District Health Center of Taipei City, for assistance with participants recruitment, and Dr Alicia Clair, Professor Emeritus at the University of Kansas, for her guidance throughout the study.

Author contributions

YLC initiated, designed, and performed the study, analyzed the results, drafted, and revised the manuscript. YCP analyzed the results and was involved in the research design and execution, and revised the manuscript. All authors contributed toward data analysis, revising the paper and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.