Effects of Music Imaging on Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional state between age-related cognitive decline and dementia. Music therapy has been shown to be an effective nonpharmacological intervention for improving MCI-related symptoms. The efficacy of music imaging, which is a form of music therapy, in improving cognitive function remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of music imaging on cognitive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life in older adults with MCI.

Single-blind, parallel, 6-week randomized controlled trial, with music imaging compared with health education.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted from March to June 2024 at 2 older adult care facilities in Changchun City, involving 52 older adults aged ≥60 years with MCI.

Data were collected at baseline, immediately postintervention, and at 1 and 3 months postintervention. The outcomes of interest were global cognition, memory, visuospatial function, executive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life.

Generalized estimating equation modeling revealed that the intervention group exhibited significantly greater improvements in global cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination: β = 2.62, P < .001; Montreal Cognitive Assessment: β = 3.19, P < .001), memory (short delayed recall: β = 1.15, P = .038; long delayed recall: β = 1.58, P = .001), visuospatial function (copy: β = 5.04, P = .001; long delayed recall: β = 3.58, P < .001) and executive function [Shape Trails test (STT-A): β = -15.04, P < .001; STT-B:β = -16.04, P = .021] than the control group at the end of the intervention. Moreover, the intervention group also exhibited significantly greater improvements in neuropsychiatric symptoms (β = -3.62, P = .007), sleep quality (β = -3.08, P = .001), and quality of life (psychological dimension: β = 2.86, P < .001; social dimension: β = 1.70, P < .001) than the control group.

This study revealed the beneficial effects of music imaging on cognitive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life among older adults with MCI. These findings support the application of music imaging among older adults with MCI with the aim of slowing cognitive decline, improving symptoms, and promoting healthy aging. [The study was registered with the China Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2400081469) and approved by the Ethics Committee of the School of Nursing, Jilin University (2023110903)].