Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial of Choral Singing Intervention to Prevent Cognitive Decline in At-Risk Older Adults Living in the Community

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Author(s)
Tan, Jasmine
Tsakok, FH Maurine
Ow, Elisabeth K
Lanskey, Bernard
Lim, Kian Siong Darius
Goh, Lee Gan
Tan, Chay-Hoon
Cheah, Irwin Kee-Mun
Larbi, Anis
Foo, Roger
Loh, Marie
Wong, Caroline Kai Yun
Suckling, John
Li, Jialiang
Mahendran, Rathi
et al.
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2018
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Show full item recordAbstract
Introduction: This study is a parallel-arm randomized controlled trial evaluating choral singing’s efficacy and underlying mechanisms in preventing cognitive decline in at-risk older participants.
Methods: Three-hundred and sixty community-dwelling, non-demented older participants are recruited for a 2-year intervention. Inclusion criteria are self-reported cognitive complaints, early cognitive impairment based on neuropsychological test scores or multiple risk factors of dementia. Participants are randomized to either weekly choral singing sessions or general health education. The primary outcome is cognitive performance, ...
View more >Introduction: This study is a parallel-arm randomized controlled trial evaluating choral singing’s efficacy and underlying mechanisms in preventing cognitive decline in at-risk older participants. Methods: Three-hundred and sixty community-dwelling, non-demented older participants are recruited for a 2-year intervention. Inclusion criteria are self-reported cognitive complaints, early cognitive impairment based on neuropsychological test scores or multiple risk factors of dementia. Participants are randomized to either weekly choral singing sessions or general health education. The primary outcome is cognitive performance, measured by a composite cognitive test score (CCTS). Secondary outcomes include depression, anxiety and neuropsychiatric symptoms; perceived stress; sleep quality and severity of dementia symptoms. Underlying mechanisms are examined using blood- and urine-based biomarkers and neuroimaging. Results: Screening began in July 2016. The first group of participants (n = 93) have been recruited. Intervention and control treatments are ongoing and will end in December 2019. Discussion: An evidence-based singing intervention for dementia prevention holds potential for healthcare savings and societal welfare. Trial Registration: NCT02919748, IRB Approval Number: NUS 2508. Keywords: singing, cognitive decline, RCT, dementia prevention, neuroplasticity
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View more >Introduction: This study is a parallel-arm randomized controlled trial evaluating choral singing’s efficacy and underlying mechanisms in preventing cognitive decline in at-risk older participants. Methods: Three-hundred and sixty community-dwelling, non-demented older participants are recruited for a 2-year intervention. Inclusion criteria are self-reported cognitive complaints, early cognitive impairment based on neuropsychological test scores or multiple risk factors of dementia. Participants are randomized to either weekly choral singing sessions or general health education. The primary outcome is cognitive performance, measured by a composite cognitive test score (CCTS). Secondary outcomes include depression, anxiety and neuropsychiatric symptoms; perceived stress; sleep quality and severity of dementia symptoms. Underlying mechanisms are examined using blood- and urine-based biomarkers and neuroimaging. Results: Screening began in July 2016. The first group of participants (n = 93) have been recruited. Intervention and control treatments are ongoing and will end in December 2019. Discussion: An evidence-based singing intervention for dementia prevention holds potential for healthcare savings and societal welfare. Trial Registration: NCT02919748, IRB Approval Number: NUS 2508. Keywords: singing, cognitive decline, RCT, dementia prevention, neuroplasticity
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Journal Title
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Volume
10
Copyright Statement
© 2018 Tan, Tsakok, Ow, Lanskey, Lim, Goh, Tan, Cheah, Larbi, Foo, Loh, Wong, Suckling, Li, Mahendran, Kua and Feng. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Subject
Aged health care
Music not elsewhere classified
Neurosciences