Music therapy for patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease
Official title: A Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Trial of Music Therapy Singing Interventions for Patients With MCI and AD
Run by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NCT04666077 · Data updated 2026-05-14
This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.
This study tests whether different types of music therapy can help improve memory and language skills in people with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 55 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (New York, New York and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT04666077 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include English-speaking individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment who have a study partner and no significant verbal impairment.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with other forms of dementia, significant psychiatric disorders, or comorbidities that interfere with participation may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the effects of different music therapy experiences on memory and language in individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. Over a 12-month period, participants will engage in various music therapy interventions, including home-based supervised singing and individualized music therapy, while a control group will experience pleasant events without music. Participants will undergo cognitive testing and medical reviews throughout the study, with regular contact from the music therapy team. The study aims to assess improvements in cognitive function and quality of life for these patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance cognitive function and quality of life for patients with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment through music therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with music therapy approaches for cognitive improvement, indicating potential for success in this study.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment * Must have study partner * English speaking * No verbal impairment * Community-dwelling * Must have webcam or smart phone Exclusion Criteria: * A diagnosis of dementia other than probable or possible AD * Probable AD with Down syndrome * History of a clinically significant stroke with residual deficit * Current evidence or history in past two years of epilepsy, focal brain lesion, head injury * Current diagnosis for major psychiatric disorder including psychosis, major depression, bipolar disorder, alcohol or substance abuse. * Participation in another interventional study * Comorbidity causing disability interfering with intervention such as pain or discomfort or life expectancy less than 1 year
Where it's running
-
Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine, Mount Sinai Beth Israel
New York, New York, United States Recruiting -
Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, New York, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mary Sano, PhD — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Adeleine Dauray
- Email: adeleine.dauray@mssm.edu
- Phone: 212-241-8329
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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.