The effects of an individual music intervention on executive functions in adults with intellectual disabilities

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) often demonstrate impairments in executive functioning (EF). In other clinical populations, music interventions have demonstrated positive effects on EF. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an individual active music intervention on EF.

In this cluster-randomised controlled trial, a music intervention (16 one-hour sessions in 8-10 weeks, n = 44) was compared to care-as-usual (n = 53) at baseline, post-intervention and 8-weeks follow-up. Participants had a mean age of 47 years (SD 15.4) and were diagnosed with mild or moderate ID. Four different EF components were tested: 1) cognitive flexibility, 2) attention, 3) inhibition and 4) working memory. Principal component analyses and multilevel models were applied to evaluate intervention effects.

The music intervention showed no significant effect on EF compared to the care-as-usual group. Because the amount of invalid data exceeded the expected dropout rate, additional information is provided about the nature of this invalid data.

This individual music intervention did not significantly improve EF in adults with mild or moderate ID. Results need to be interpreted with caution, given the methodological and feasibility challenges encountered.