Neuropsychological assessments to evaluate cognition in music therapy and music-based interventions for mild cognitive impairment and dementia: A descriptive systematic review

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Interest in the benefits of music therapy (MT) and music-based interventions (MbI) on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia is increasing. However, the results regarding the effects on cognition are inconclusive. Moreover, although neuropsychological assessments can provide greater rigor and more reliable results, there is a lack of research on the most appropriate instruments determining the effects on cognition and different cognitive domains. This review aimed to describe the most frequently administered instruments and the most investigated cognitive domains in literature on MT and MbI. The results will help to establish assessment protocols that benefit both clinical intervention and academic research.

Methods

Two researchers independently searched through four databases (WoS, Cochrane, PubMed, and PsycINFO) for English and Spanish quasi-experimental and experimental studies on MT and MbI that used cognitive assessment instruments, and which were published between 2000 and 2022.

Results

Twenty-seven out of 1,840 citations met the inclusion criteria. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was mostly used to assess global cognition. The main cognitive domains assessed were executive function, memory, attention, and language. The most frequently used specific neuropsychological instruments were Trail Making Test, Digit Span, Frontal Assessment Battery, Categorical Verbal Fluency Tests, and Progressive Matrices.

Discussion

Most studies based their conclusions on global cognition (mainly measured with MMSE test). However, more research and greater consensus are needed in order to establish neuropsychological assessment protocols that obtain more specific and consistent results.

KEYWORDS:

• Cognition
• dementia
• music-based interventions
• music therapy
• neuropsychological assessments
• systematic review

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Fundació per a la Docència i Recerca Mútua Terrassa, Fundació Vallparadís and Universitat Ramon Llull.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by research grant [BE0145] from the Fundació per a la Docència i Recerca Mútua Terrassa, 2020.

Notes on contributors

Lourdes Forn

Lourdes Forn Clinical Psychologist, Centre Vallparadís, Unitat Atenció intermèdia (Fundació Assistencial Mútua Terrassa); Degree in Psychology (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona); Master in Psychology and Aging (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona); Accredited Psychologist expert in palliative care (Col·legi oficial Psicòlegs Catalunya). Studying Master’s Degree in Neuropsychology (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya). 4th-year-PhD student, Doctoral Program, Faculty of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Sport Blanquerna (Universitat Ramon Llull). Associate Professor, Faculty of Psychology (Universitat de Barcelona). Collaborating professor in Postgraduate Faculty of Psychology (Universitat Abat Oliva). Collaborating professor in the Postgraduate Psychosocial and Spiritual Care for People with Advanced Illness (Universitat de Vic-Càtedra Cures Pal·liatives, ICO). Research grant from the Fundació Docència i Investigació Mútua Terrassa 2020–2023.

Sergi Muñiz

Sergi Muñiz Music therapist, Fundació Vallparadís (Mútua Terrassa). Diploma in Social Education (Universitat Ramon Llull). Postgraduate in Stimulation and Disability Animation: Elderly People, People with Disabilities and Mental Health (Universitat Ramon Llull). Postgraduate in Music Therapy (Universitat Ramon Llull). Accredited music therapist in the Spanish Registry of Music Therapists and member of the Catalan Association of Music Therapy. Collaborating professor in Master of Music Therapy (Universitat de Barcelona). Collaborating teacher in degree of Occupational Therapy (Escola Universitaria d’Infermeria i Terapia Ocupacional de Terrassa, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona). Research grant from the Fundació Docència i Investigació Mútua Terrassa.

Laura Aguilera

Laura Aguilera Psychologist. Working in two Residence for elderly people. Degree in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Sport Blanquerna (Universitat Ramon Llull). Master in General Health Psychology (Universitat Ramon Llull).

Judit Escarré

Judit Escarré Psychologist. Working as a Community Emotional Well-being Reference figure in the Primary health care center and working, also, in a private psychology center. Degree in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Sport Blanquerna (Universitat Ramon Llull). Research group from the Youngfit project (Universitat de Barcelona), 1st-year-PhD student, Doctoral Program Faculty of Psychology (Universitat de Barcelona).

Sara Signo

Sara Signo, PhD in Psychology. Clinical Psychologist and Specialist in Clinical Neuropsychology. Associate Professor of Psychobiology I and II at the Faculty of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Sport Blanquerna (Universitat Ramon Llull). Member of the research group Communication and Health COMSAL (Universitat Ramon Llull). Author of scientific articles and co-author of several books related to neuropsychology, specifically aging, dementias, cognitive stimulation and rehabilitation.

Olga Bruna

Olga Bruna, PhD in Psychology. Clinical Psychologist and Specialist in Clinical Neuropsychology. Professor at the Faculty of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Sport Blanquerna (Universitat Ramon Llull). Training in the field of Clinical Neuropsychology at the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barcelona and in several European, United States and Australia centres. Participation in national and international research projects and direction of doctoral theses. Author of scientific articles and co-author of several books related to neuropsychology. Teaching, research and clinical activities are related to neuropsychology, aging, and dementias.