Train the brain with music (TBM): brain plasticity and cognitive benefits induced by musical training in elderly people in Germany and Switzerland, a study protocol for an RCT comparing musical instrumental practice to sensitization to music

Abstract

Background Recent data suggest that musical practice prevents age-related cognitive decline. But experimental evidence remains sparse and no concise information on the neurophysiological bases exists, although cognitive decline represents a major impediment to healthy aging. A challenge in the field of aging is developing training regimens that stimulate neuroplasticity and delay or reverse symptoms of cognitive and cerebral decline. To be successful, these regimens should be easily integrated in daily life and intrinsically motivating. This study combines for the first-time protocolled music practice in elderly with cutting-edge neuroimaging and behavioral approaches, comparing two types of musical education. Methods We conduct a two-site Hannover-Geneva randomized intervention study in altogether 155 retired healthy elderly (64–78) years, (63 in Geneva, 92 in Hannover), offering either piano instruction (experimental group) or musical listening awareness (control group). Over 12 months all participants receive weekly training for 1 hour, and exercise at home for ~ 30 min daily. Both groups study different music styles. Participants are tested at 4 time points (0, 6, and 12 months & post-training (18 months)) on cognitive and perceptual-motor aptitudes as well as via wide-ranging functional and structural neuroimaging and blood sampling. Discussion We aim to demonstrate positive transfer effects for faculties traditionally described to decline with age, particularly in the piano group: executive functions, working memory, processing speed, abstract thinking and fine motor skills. Benefits in both groups may show for verbal memory, hearing in noise and subjective well-being. In association with these behavioral benefits we anticipate functional and structural brain plasticity in temporal (medial and lateral), prefrontal and parietal areas and the basal ganglia. We intend exhibiting for the first time that musical activities can provoke important societal impacts by diminishing cognitive and perceptual-motor decline supported by functional and structural brain plasticity. Trial registration The Ethikkomission of the Leibniz Universität Hannover approved the protocol on 14.08.17 (no. 3604–2017), the neuroimaging part and blood sampling was approved by the Hannover Medical School on 07.03.18. The full protocol was approved by the Commission cantonale d’éthique de la recherche de Genève (no. 2016–02224) on 27.02.18 and registered at clinicaltrials.gov on 17.09.18 (NCT03674931, no. 81185).

Six Months of Piano Training in Healthy Elderly Stabilizes White Matter Microstructure in the Fornix, Compared to an Active Control Group

“…This cognitive test, developed specifically for older adults, provides a global measure of cognition, based on several memory and executive function subtests. A detailed list of inclusion and exclusion criteria can be found in James et al (2020) .…”

Improved Speech in Noise Perception in the Elderly After 6 Months of Musical Instruction

“…The present study is part of an extensive investigation ("Train the brain with music") aiming to shed light on the effects of music on cognition and the brain in the elderly (for full protocol see James et al, 2020). Randomized allocation to Playing Piano (PP; N = 74) or Musical Culture (MC; N = 82) groups was stratified to ensure groups were matched in age, sex, cognitive functioning (total score of the COGTEL) and education level.…”

“…1 (ISBN 9780711954311) or "Jugend-Album für Klavier" by Schmitz (ISBN 9783932587412). MC sessions emphasized analytic listening and experiencing, understanding and appreciating music through discussion of a variety of musical aspects, for example musical genres, instrument groups, music history and famous composers, but also some music theory (e.g., Sonata form; for more details, see James et al, 2020). Active music-making, however, was avoided.…”

Use of Music Therapy as an Audiological Rehabilitation Tool in the Elderly Population: A Mini-Review

“…It is clear that the scientific community is keen on pursuing investigations to evaluate the impact of musical training on cognitive abilities. For example, a study protocol was recently published by James et al (2020) . Their study will follow 155 healthy elderly for 12 months to measure the impact of music training vs. musical listening on cognitive and perceptual–motor aptitudes with behavioral and fMRI tasks.…”