Musical Attention Control and Executive Function Training for Adults with MDD
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Sponsor
- Unity Health Toronto
- Enrollment
- 18
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in cognitive flexibility and executive control using the Shifting Attention test
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- last year
Overview
Brief Summary
The investigators have developed music-based cognitive training sessions derived from Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) techniques. The music-based cognitive training sessions will address areas of attention and executive function, which appear to progress over time and worsen as an individual experiences more episodes of depression. The aim of this pilot is to test 8-weeks of music-based cognitive training to improve cognitive function among adults with major depressive disorder.
Detailed Description
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a lifelong condition and is the leading cause of disability in the world. MDD is a multifaceted mood disorder and due to its complex nature, this mental health diagnosis affects emotional, behavioural, and cognitive processing. Cognitive dysfunction appears to progress over time and worsens as the individual experiences more episodes of depression. Because of this, it is critical to continue to investigate and formulate effective treatment that can target and improve not only depressive symptoms, but also address overall cognitive function. Thus, the investigators propose implementing music-based cognitive training derived from Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) techniques to address cognitive dysfunction experienced by adults diagnosed with MDD. Music-based interventions, specifically from the NMT approach have been shown to physically change the human brain when working on cognition in areas of attention and executive function, however little is known of these applications with adults with MDD. The aim of this pilot is to test 8-weeks of music-based cognitive training to improve cognitive function among adults with MDD.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Clinical diagnosis of MDD meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Diploma in Social Medicine (DSM-V) criteria
- •Experiencing suicidal ideation in the past week (Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation \>10)
- •Have received more than 12 sessions of psychotherapy
- •Stable medication use \> 4 weeks
- •Ability to undergo music-based cognitive training sessions in English
- •Capable of giving informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
- •The presence of cognitive impairment that would limit consent or understanding of neurologic music therapy
- •The presence of active psychosis
- •The presence of mood and suicidal symptom severity requiring immediate treatment
- •Hearing impairment
- •Participation in music therapy 6 months prior to study
- •Private music lessons for a period of 1 year prior to study
- •Unwilling or unable to provide informed consent
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in cognitive flexibility and executive control using the Shifting Attention test
Time Frame: From baseline to 8-weeks
This cognitive task measures the ability to shift attention between different stimuli, assessing the speed and accuracy with which the individual can shift their attention and switch between different rules.
Change in selective attention using the Stroop Test
Time Frame: From baseline to 8-weeks
This cognitive task measures the time to complete the task and errors made. A longer completion time and a higher number of errors can indicate difficulty with selective attention and mental flexibility.
Change in inhibition using the Go/No Go Task
Time Frame: From baseline to 8-weeks
This cognitive task measures response time, accuracy, commission errors, omission errors, and reaction time variability.
Change in working memory capacity using the Digit Span Forward and Backward Test
Time Frame: From baseline to 8-weeks
This cognitive task measures span length, correct recall, error rate, and reaction time.
Change in visual attention and task switching using the Trail Making A and B test
Time Frame: From baseline to 8-weeks
This cognitive task measures the time to complete the task and errors made. In Trail Making Test A, a longer completion time and higher number of errors can indicate difficulties with processing speed and attention. In Trail Making Test B, a longer completion time and a higher number of errors on Trail Making Test B, compared to Trail Making Test A, can indicate difficulties with cognitive flexibility, mental shifting, and attention.
Secondary Outcomes
- Changes in affect using the Positive and negative affect schedule - short form (PNAS-SF)(From baseline to 8-weeks)
- Changes in depression symptoms using the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - self-report (QIDS-SR).(From baseline to 8-weeks)
- Change in suicidal ideation using the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI)(From baseline to 8-weeks)
- Changes in quality of life using the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS)(From baseline to 8-weeks)
- Feasibility and acceptability of music-based cognitive training(From baseline to 8-weeks)