The Impact of Piano Training on Cognitive Performance and Psychosocial Well-Being in Older Adults

The project purpose is to scientifically examine the benefits of piano training as compared
to computer cognitive training and no treatment controls on cognitive (processing speed,
task-switching, verbal fluency, verbal memory, and working memory), psychosocial (mood,
self-efficacy, and quality of life), and physiological variables (biomarkers) in healthy
older adult participants in a randomized clinical trial design.

Participants: Ninety community dwelling older adults will be recruited from the community.
Criteria for enrollment are: between the ages of 60-80, native English speakers, not
currently taking medications affecting memory performance, have no pre-existing cognitive
impairment or neurological disorders, (as indicated by the Telephone Interview for Cognitive
Status > 30), no moderate to severe depression (as indicated by the Geriatric Depression
Scale), no difficulty with hand movements, less than three years of prior musical training,
not currently engaged in music reading or musical performance, and less than ten hours of
prior computer brain training experience. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of
three groups stratified by intelligence and gender: piano instruction, computerized
cognitive training or a no treatment control group. Informed written consent will be
obtained in accordance with the Institutional Review Board.

Procedure: Participants will be tested in three visits: pre-training, immediately
post-training, and three months follow-up. Those randomized to piano training or
computerized cognitive training will complete their assigned training between pre-training
and post-training visits. Measures of music aptitude and intelligence will be administered
at the pre-training visit. These factors can influence cognitive performance. Any
significant differences at baseline between the three assigned groups will be statistically
controlled for in the analyses. Standardized cognitive measures will be used to examine
processing speed, task-switching, verbal fluency, verbal memory, and working memory at each
visit. Psychosocial outcomes (mood, self-efficacy, and quality of life) and physiological
biomarkers will also be evaluated at each visit.

The goal for both interventions will be to complete 48 hours of group training over a four
month period (16 weeks). Sixty participants (30 piano training; 30 auditory computer
training) will be asked to attend three hours of training each week. Thirty participants
will serve in the no treatment control group. Piano training will consist of basic piano
technique, dexterity exercises, piano literature, and music theory. Participants will be
expected to perform all major scales, repertoire from the Alfred All-in-One Method, and
complete weekly theory assignments. Each class session is structured as a cognitive
intervention that focuses upon review of materials (15-20 min), and the remaining portion of
the class focuses upon learning new skills and concepts. Computerized cognitive training
involves computerized perceptual practice exercises that vary in difficulty ranging from
basic auditory processing speed to application through memory exercises. Within each
exercise, the stimuli (i.e., tones, speech sounds, words, sentences) become less
discriminable and speed of presentation increases (making the exercises more difficult) as
performance improves. The Brain Fitness training program with working memory exercises will
be used.

Data source(s). Data will consist of a series of standardized cognitive, psychosocial, and
neurophysiological measures administered at three time points: pre-training, post-training,
and at a three month follow-up. All standardized measures have been previously used to
assess the efficacy of cognitive training approaches and demonstrate good psychometric
properties.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Between the ages of 60-80

- native English speakers

- no pre-existing cognitive impairment or neurological impairment

- not taking medications affecting memory performance (sleep meds, antidepressants,
etc.)

- Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (score >30)

- no moderate to severe depression

- no difficulty with hand movements

- less than three years of formal music training

- no difficulty with the movement of their hands

- not currently engaged in music reading or musical performance

- < 10 hours of previous cognitive training

Exclusion Criteria:

- Those not between 60-80

- those taking medications affecting memory performance

- Non-Native English Speakers

- Those with pre-existing cognitive impairment

- Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (score < 30)

- Those with difficulty in the movement of their hands

- Those with more than three years of formal music training or currently engaged in
music reading or music performance

- Those with more than ten hours of cognitive training