Currently, the world is facing the challenge of population aging. At this stage of life, various deteriorations, such as cognitive decline, begin to appear, significantly impairing the quality of life. Therefore, it is imperative to seek interventions that can positively impact the life trajectory of older adults. While the cognitive benefits of musical interventions for children and young people are well-documented, there is a lack of evidence regarding their effects on the cognitive and socioemotional well-being of institutionalized older adults.
To address this, the investigators will conduct a non-randomized clinical trial at Fundación Las Rosas, which operates various homes for the elderly. The trial will involve two groups: a control group and an experimental group. The control group will attend concerts held within the care facility, while the experimental group will participate in a music workshop once a week for three months.
To evaluate the outcomes, cognitive and socioemotional assessments will be conducted at three points: prior to the musical intervention (baseline), at the end of the intervention period, and one month after the interventions conclude (follow-up). The results will provide valuable insights to support the development and implementation of cost-effective non-pharmacological interventions, specifically musical interventions, to promote well-being in older adults by demonstrating their applicability and effectiveness within the national context. By assessing the intervention's impact on both cognitive and socioemotional dimensions, this study will also contribute to a deeper understanding of how these skills can be developed and promoted among older adults.
Older adults residing in a protected residence.
Consent to participate in the study.
Physical or cognitive impairments that prevent participation in musical intervention activities.
Mild cognitive impairment determined by the GDS-3 scale, reported by the residence therapists.
Parallel
Music intervention
BehavioralThe musical intervention conducted at the senior home focused on the development of rhythmic and vocal skills, as well as the creation of educational experiences that promoted the acquisition of these competencies. To achieve this, both conventional percussion instruments, such as claves, tambourines, woodblocks, and triangles, and unconventional elements, such as buckets played with drumsticks, sheets of paper, spoons, ribbons, elastic bands, and a parachute, were used to mark the rhythm during the singing sessions. The selected songs were chosen based on the musical styles mentioned by the participants during the pre-intervention interview. Furthermore, participants were given the opportunity to showcase their progress at the end of the activity, with the aim of sharing these achievements with family and friends at the home.
Cognitive performance - Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). This is a screening test that provides a comprehensive evaluation of global cognition and various cognitive functions. Values range from 0 - 30, with a higher score meaning a better outcome.
Cognitive performance - Phototest
Phototest. A brief cognitive screening test applicable to illiterate people that through the recognition and naming of images of everyday objects offers insights into facilitated memory, denomination and verbal fluency. It can be used for the detection of cognitive impairment and dementia. Values range from 0 on, because the maximum value depends on how many objects the person recognizes or names. Higher scores mean a better outcome, and a score of 28 or less is an indicator of cognitive decline.
Cognitive performance - Test of Executive Functions Free from Schooling Bias (TELE)
Test of Executive Functions Free from Schooling Bias (TELE, Test de funciones Ejecutivas Libre de sesgo por Escolaridad). The TELE consists of an executive function evaluation task that screens inhibitory control, sustained attention, verbal working memory and processing speed. Values range from 0 - 12, where higher scores mean a better outcome.
Socioemotional performance - UCLA Loneliness Scale
University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA Loneliness Scale). A scale to detect the feeling of loneliness through 10 questions that score between 1 and 4 points, allowing a minimum score of 10 and a maximum of 40. Higher scores mean a better outcome.
Functionality performance - Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (ADLQ)
Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (ADLQ). This questionnaire asks about functionality in every day life activities, using a 4-point scale to measure functional capacity. The score ranges from 0 - 100, where higher scores indicate a worse outcome, suggesting higher risks of significant functional impairment in daily activities.
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