NeuroMusic Trial

The study is open to individuals aged between 60 to 90 years who have no previous musical experience but are experiencing memory decline. If you opt to participate, you will first be screened for suitability and then randomly assigned to one of three groups: learning keyboard, choral singing, or watching music-related movies and discussing them with a group. You will meet once every week for three months at the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney. If you're interested, please visit the following link for more information: https://neuromusic.sydney.edu.au/.

We are seeking adults aged between 60-90 years with memory difficulties and no previous experience in instrumental playing or singing in an organised group in the last 6 months.

You will not be able to participate in this study if you:

• have a history of employment as a professional musician;
• have played an instrument or sang in an organised group in the last 6 months
• have had more than 3 years of formal music lessons
• have problems affecting hand dexterity;
• have impaired or not-corrected visual or auditory accuracy;
• have other major neurological problems (e.g. stroke, epilepsy, head injury);
• have an alcohol or substance use disorder;
• have a severe mental health disorder (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder);
• have a current diagnosis of major depression;
• have commenced with antidepressants or engaged in a music training program or cognitive training intervention within the prior 4 weeks.

Please click here to complete your online pre-screen to assess your eligibility:
https://neuromusic.sydney.edu.au/are-you-eligible-to-participate/

Ethics committee approval number: 2023/026