Following the Sound of Music
Official title: Comparing the Effects of Music vs. Non-Music Based Interventions on Auditory and Cognitive Processing in Older Adults
Run by Northeastern University · NCT07772765 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether listening to music with attentional prompts can help hearing and thinking skills in healthy older adults.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 60 Years to 101 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 216 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Northeastern University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 19, 2026 |
| Main results expected | May 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | August 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | October 7, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07772765 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 60 and older with normal or near-normal hearing, fluent in English or Spanish, limited formal music training, and no major psychiatric or neurological conditions.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with significant hearing loss, dementia, major psychiatric illness, substantial depressive symptoms, or who cannot participate in training procedures may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Healthy older adults will be randomized into four groups to try music listening activities designed to support attention, with or without attentional prompts, over up to 21 hours across 20 weeks. The study will measure changes in auditory processing, attention, and related cognitive functions. It uses a structured training format and audio tasks to see if music-based listening can support hearing and cognition as people age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience improvements or maintenance in hearing-related processing and cognitive function.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research in music and cognitive training has shown potential benefits, but results vary and this specific approach is exploratory.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age: 60+ * No self-reported auditory difficulties and normal or near-normal hearing sensitivity as measured by SRTs. * Should have no more than typical hearing loss for their age and no evidence of dementia. * Fluent in English and/or Spanish * No more than two years of formal music training in childhood OR in the past 20 years Exclusion Criteria: * Abnormal vision or hearing prohibitive of training * History of seizures, focal brain lesion, or head injury with loss of consciousness * Physical handicap (motor or perceptual) that would impede training procedures * Social, educational or economic hardship prohibitive to training schedule Concurrent enrollment in other cognitive training studies * History of major psychiatric illness, including psychosis, bipolar disorder, depression, alcohol or substance abuse, recent bereavement * Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) score of 6 or higher, indicating clinically significant depressive symptoms * Not being proficient enough in English or Spanish that would prevent following and understanding all instructions and completing all testing sessions * Diagnosis of dementia or other neurological disease, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) * Telephone-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (t-MoCA) score of 16 or less
Where it's running
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Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Susanne Jaeggi, PhD — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Audrey Carrillo, MA
- Email: a.carrillo@northeastern.edu
- Phone: 626-482-8091
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.