Age-related Cognitive DeclineTBMNCT03674931
Train the Brain With Music: Brain Plasticity and Cognitive Benefits Induced by Musical Practice in Elderly People
A study testing musical practice and music education in people with Age-related Cognitive Decline, run by School of Health Sciences Geneva at 1 site in Switzerland.
Trial summary
This longitudinal study aims to countervail age-related cognitive and cerebral decline in healthy retired people through intensive piano / keyboard music practice in Switzerland and Germany. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 64 to 76 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Age-related Cognitive Decline
- What is being tested?
- musical practice and music education
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 150 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSwitzerland
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2018to 31 Jul 2021
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 64 to 76 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy right-handed volunteers, between 64 and 76 years of age, native French speakers. No regular musical practice over the lifespan. Only retired individuals may participate.
Who cannot join
- Impaired/not-corrected auditory or visual accuracy, neurological diseases in the present or the past, cardiovascular diseases, excessive hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, beginning dementia, mild cognitive impairment, clinical depression.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Switzerland1 site
School of Health Sciences Geneva; HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland
Geneva, 1206
About this study
Official title: Train the Brain With Music: Brain Plasticity and Cognitive Benefits Induced by Musical Practice in Elderly People in Germany and Switzerland
This longitudinal study aims to countervail age-related cognitive and cerebral decline in healthy retired people through intensive piano / keyboard music practice in Switzerland and Germany.
Read the detailed description
Recent data suggest that music making might prevent cognitive decline in the elderly. However, experimental evidence remains sparse and no information on the neurophysiological basis has been provided, although cognitive decline is a major impediment to healthy aging. This study combines for the first time protocolled music practice in elderly with cutting-edge neuroimaging. The investigators propose a multi-site Hannover-Geneva longitudinal randomized intervention study in altogether 100 retired healthy elderly (64-76) years, 70 Geneva, 100 Hannover), offering either piano instruction or instruction on musical culture for one year. Participants will be tested at 3 time points on cognitive, perceptual and motor abilities as well as via wide-ranging functional and structural neuroimaging data (Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI). The research team expects positive transfer effects from intensive piano training not only on subjective well-being, but also on executive functions, working memory, hearing in noise and relationships of these behavioral features with morphological and functional brain plasticity. This study may therefore for the first time be demonstrate, that music making can provoke important societal impacts by diminishing cognitive and perceptual-motor decline underpinned by functional and structural brain plasticity.
- Conditions
- Age-related Cognitive Decline
- Being tested
- musical practice, music education
- Keywords
- countervail age-related cognitive and cerebral decline, healthy elderly, musical training, neuroimagery and brain plasticity, psychometrics, executive function, mental health, well-being, sensorimotor function
- Medical subject headings
- Psychological Well-Being
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
musical practiceBehavioural
Intensive weekly musical keyboard training over 12 months
music educationBehavioural
Recreative weekly musical courses without practice over 12 months
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| musical practice | Experimental | Intensive weekly musical keyboard training over 12 months Receives: Behavioral: musical practice |
| music education | Active comparator | Recreative weekly musical courses without practice over 12 months Receives: Behavioral: music education |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Continuous Echo-Planar Imaging (EPI)
Resting state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), informs on functional connectivity
Measured: 18 months (4 measurements over time)
Magnetization-Prepared 2 Rapid Acquisition Gradient Echo (MP2RAGE)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging measure, allows to image gray matter
Measured: 18 months (4 measurements over time)
functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
Functional Imaging of a tonal Working Memory task, allows to study involved networks
Measured: 18 months (4 measurements over time)
Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging (MR-DTI)
Diffusion weighted echo-planar gradient echo sequence, allows to image white matter and structural connectivity
Measured: 18 months (4 measurements over time)
Magnetic Resonance Arterial Spin Labeling (MR-ASL)
Blood perfusion assessment
Measured: 18 months (4 measurements over time)
Behavioral Battery (cognitive function)
Comprehensive cognitive testing, full battery will be provided on request; involves Basic cognition, Executive Function, Fluid Intelligence, Verbal Memory
Measured: 18 months (4 measurements over time)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Behavioral Battery (sensorimotor function)
Sensorimotor testing, full battery will be provided on request; involves manual dexterity and hearing tests
Measured: 18 months (4 measurements over time)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Sep 2018
- Study start1 Apr 2018
- Primary completion31 Jul 2021
- Study completion31 Jul 2021
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Age-related Cognitive DeclineStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Longitudinal RCT (clinical trial) with an experimental group and an active control group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 150 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- School of Health Sciences Geneva
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Swiss National Science Foundation, German Research Foundation
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Clara E James, School of Health Sciences Geneva
- Investigators
- Eckart Altenmüller, PhD, Principal investigator, Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03674931
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 81185
- Acronym
- TBM
- Status last verified
- May 2022
- First submitted
- 6 Jul 2018
- Last updated
- 11 May 2022
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Raw (NIfTI format for MRI data) and preprocessed data will be made available to the scientific community, via an open source scientific data base.
Publications
Losch H, Altenmuller E, Marie D, Passarotto E, Kretschmer CR, Scholz DS, Kliegel M, Kruger THC, Sinke C, Junemann K, James CE, Worschech F. Acquisition of musical skills and abilities in older adults-results of 12 months of music training. BMC Geriatr. 2024 Dec 19;24(1):1018. doi: 10.1186/s12877-024-05600-2.
PubMed 39702118Mack M, Marie D, Worschech F, Kruger THC, Sinke C, Altenmuller E, James CE, Kliegel M. Effects of a 1-year piano intervention on cognitive flexibility in older adults. Psychol Aging. 2025 Mar;40(2):218-235. doi: 10.1037/pag0000871. Epub 2024 Dec 16.
PubMed 39679985James CE, Altenmuller E, Kliegel M, Kruger THC, Van De Ville D, Worschech F, Abdili L, Scholz DS, Junemann K, Hering A, Grouiller F, Sinke C, Marie D. 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. BMC Geriatr. 2020 Oct 21;20(1):418. doi: 10.1186/s12877-020-01761-y.
PubMed 33087078
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 May 2022. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Train the Brain With Music: Brain Plasticity and Cognitive Benefits Induced by Musical Practice in Elderly People in Germany and Switzerland
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03674931
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- TBM / 81185
- Conditions
- Age-related Cognitive Decline
- Keywords
- countervail age-related cognitive and cerebral decline, healthy elderly, musical training, neuroimagery and brain plasticity, psychometrics, executive function, mental health, well-being
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 150 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- School of Health Sciences GenevaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Swiss National Science Foundation, German Research Foundation
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jul 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Jul 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 18 Sep 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This longitudinal study aims to countervail age-related cognitive and cerebral decline in healthy retired people through intensive piano / keyboard music practice in Switzerland and Germany.
Detailed description
Recent data suggest that music making might prevent cognitive decline in the elderly. However, experimental evidence remains sparse and no information on the neurophysiological basis has been provided, although cognitive decline is a major impediment to healthy aging. This study combines for the first time protocolled music practice in elderly with cutting-edge neuroimaging. The investigators propose a multi-site Hannover-Geneva longitudinal randomized intervention study in altogether 100 retired healthy elderly (64-76) years, 70 Geneva, 100 Hannover), offering either piano instruction or instruction on musical culture for one year. Participants will be tested at 3 time points on cognitive, perceptual and motor abilities as well as via wide-ranging functional and structural neuroimaging data (Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI). The research team expects positive transfer effects from intensive piano training not only on subjective well-being, but also on executive functions, working memory, hearing in noise and relationships of these behavioral features with morphological and functional brain plasticity. This study may therefore for the first time be demonstrate, that music making can provoke important societal impacts by diminishing cognitive and perceptual-motor decline underpinned by functional and structural brain plasticity.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Longitudinal RCT (clinical trial) with an experimental group and an active control group
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| musical practice | Experimental | Behavioral: musical practiceIntensive weekly musical keyboard training over 12 months |
| music education | Active comparator | Behavioral: music educationRecreative weekly musical courses without practice over 12 months |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 64 to 76 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Healthy right-handed volunteers, between 64 and 76 years of age, native French speakers. No regular musical practice over the lifespan. Only retired individuals may participate.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Impaired/not-corrected auditory or visual accuracy, neurological diseases in the present or the past, cardiovascular diseases, excessive hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, beginning dementia, mild cognitive impairment, clinical depression.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| musical practiceIntensive weekly musical keyboard training over 12 months | Behavioural | musical practice |
| music educationRecreative weekly musical courses without practice over 12 months | Behavioural | music education |
Primary outcome
Continuous Echo-Planar Imaging (EPI)
Time frame: 18 months (4 measurements over time)
Resting state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), informs on functional connectivity
Magnetization-Prepared 2 Rapid Acquisition Gradient Echo (MP2RAGE)
Time frame: 18 months (4 measurements over time)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging measure, allows to image gray matter
functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
Time frame: 18 months (4 measurements over time)
Functional Imaging of a tonal Working Memory task, allows to study involved networks
Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging (MR-DTI)
Time frame: 18 months (4 measurements over time)
Diffusion weighted echo-planar gradient echo sequence, allows to image white matter and structural connectivity
Magnetic Resonance Arterial Spin Labeling (MR-ASL)
Time frame: 18 months (4 measurements over time)
Blood perfusion assessment
Behavioral Battery (cognitive function)
Time frame: 18 months (4 measurements over time)
Comprehensive cognitive testing, full battery will be provided on request; involves Basic cognition, Executive Function, Fluid Intelligence, Verbal Memory
1 secondary outcome
Behavioral Battery (sensorimotor function)
Time frame: 18 months (4 measurements over time)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 11 May 2022.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 39702118Losch H, Altenmuller E, Marie D, Passarotto E, Kretschmer CR, Scholz DS, Kliegel M, Kruger THC, Sinke C, Junemann K, James CE, Worschech F. Acquisition of musical skills and abilities in older adults-results of 12 months of music training. BMC Geriatr. 2024 Dec 19;24(1):1018. doi: 10.1186/s12877-024-05600-2.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 39679985Mack M, Marie D, Worschech F, Kruger THC, Sinke C, Altenmuller E, James CE, Kliegel M. Effects of a 1-year piano intervention on cognitive flexibility in older adults. Psychol Aging. 2025 Mar;40(2):218-235. doi: 10.1037/pag0000871. Epub 2024 Dec 16.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 33087078James CE, Altenmuller E, Kliegel M, Kruger THC, Van De Ville D, Worschech F, Abdili L, Scholz DS, Junemann K, Hering A, Grouiller F, Sinke C, Marie D. 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. BMC Geriatr. 2020 Oct 21;20(1):418. doi: 10.1186/s12877-020-01761-y.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Raw (NIfTI format for MRI data) and preprocessed data will be made available to the scientific community, via an open source scientific data base.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Eckart Altenmüller, PhD principal investigator
Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing musical practice and music education in people with Age-related Cognitive Decline, run by School of Health Sciences Geneva at 1 site in Switzerland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 May 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Switzerland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Continuous Echo-Planar Imaging (EPI) (time frame: 18 months (4 measurements over time)). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03674931, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 May 2022.