A-135: Efficacy of Active Music Therapy on Executive Functioning in Prodromal Dementia

Abstract

Objective: This narrative synthesis evaluates the efficacy of active music therapy (AMT) (i.e., singing, instrument playing, and rhythmic movement) on executive functioning (EF) outcomes, including cognitive flexibility, inhibition, attention, working memory, and verbal fluency, among male and female adults from various nationalities across Asia, Europe, and North America, aged 50 years and older, with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Method/Data Selection: Data sources were identified through traditional searches across major databases including MDPI, PubMed, PsycINFO, SLACK Journals, and Taylor & Francis (2020-2026). Search terms included “active music therapy”, “executive function”, and “prodromal dementia” or “mild cognitive impairment”. Articles were excluded if they were not randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, or systematic reviews. Final selection included 5 core primary and secondary review studies, and data was extracted using predefined criteria: population focus, active musical modalities, and EF measures. Results/Data Synthesis: Results were synthesized by trend analysis and qualitative comparison across gathered sources. Findings indicate variable efficacy; while AMT trends positive, particular effect sizes remain small (d = 0.31), representing potentially meaningful effects, specifically in verbal fluency and the broad frontal-executive functioning domain. Evidence suggests that motor-cognitive engagement in AMT provides superior EF stimulation compared to control (i.e., no intervention, usual care) or active control groups (e.g., exercise intervention, scratch art). However, benefits may be obscured by the inclusion of mixed-diagnosis cohorts. This heterogeneity is driven by protocol variability and limited sample sizes. Additionally, inconsistent operational definitions of MCI may also contribute to reported outcomes. Conclusions: Evidence supporting AMT for EF enhancement in MCI remains preliminary due to a lack of MCI-specific, large-scale, standardized trials, which future studies should address.