Impact of BRAINART: A Music-Based Interactive Technology Tool on Cognition, Behavioural Symptoms, and Quality of Life of People With Cognitive Decline: A Mixed Methods Study in Italy and Switzerland

Elderly individuals affected by neurodegenerative diseases or cerebrovascular disorders commonly exhibit a progressive decline in cognitive function, accompanied by psychiatric and neurobehavioral symptoms that may be ameliorated through the utilisation of non-pharmacological interventions. The p...

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Main Authors: Verena Biscaro, Matteo Sozzi, Danilo Spada, Anna De Benedetti, Stefano Fumagalli, Andrea Millul, Andrea Salmaggi, Massimo Corbo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: LSE Press 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Long-Term Care
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Online Access:https://account.journal.ilpnetwork.org/index.php/lse-j-jltc/article/view/241
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author Verena Biscaro
Matteo Sozzi
Danilo Spada
Anna De Benedetti
Stefano Fumagalli
Andrea Millul
Andrea Salmaggi
Massimo Corbo
author_facet Verena Biscaro
Matteo Sozzi
Danilo Spada
Anna De Benedetti
Stefano Fumagalli
Andrea Millul
Andrea Salmaggi
Massimo Corbo
author_sort Verena Biscaro
collection DOAJ
description Elderly individuals affected by neurodegenerative diseases or cerebrovascular disorders commonly exhibit a progressive decline in cognitive function, accompanied by psychiatric and neurobehavioral symptoms that may be ameliorated through the utilisation of non-pharmacological interventions. The primary aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of novel intervention approaches with technological tools for cognitive stimulation in a geriatric population experiencing cognitive impairment. Interactive cognitive stimulation activities, integrating a robust musical element, were employed not only to enhance cognitive functions but also to promote social interaction among participants. Eight Italian long-term care homes (LTCHs) and day centres, along with two facilities in Switzerland, participated in the study. Each facility was provided with an interactive table featuring serious games, available for approximately one month. Subjects voluntarily engaged in group-based stimulation sessions comprising two to four individuals. A total of 25 health assistants and 110 subjects with cognitive impairment took part in the study. Overall, there was a significant improvement in participants’ QUALID scores upon completion of the study (t = 2.9191; df = 99; p < 0.005). Interestingly, individuals who attended a greater number of sessions exhibited more pronounced psychiatric and behavioural symptoms, as well as lower quality of life scores at both the beginning (T0) and end (T1) of the trial. It is important to note that this study was not a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and participant recruitment was based on voluntary participation without strict inclusion criteria for ensuring proper randomization. This pioneering approach demonstrates the capacity to synergistically enhance conventional methods of cognitive stimulation and socialization for elderly individuals with cognitive impairment.
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spelling doaj-art-4ecb187751a848c4b84792b63bf1dbca2025-08-20T01:56:34ZengLSE PressJournal of Long-Term Care2516-91222024-12-0110.31389/jltc.241Impact of BRAINART: A Music-Based Interactive Technology Tool on Cognition, Behavioural Symptoms, and Quality of Life of People With Cognitive Decline: A Mixed Methods Study in Italy and SwitzerlandVerena Biscaro0https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1454-7173Matteo Sozzi1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3969-7330Danilo Spada2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0751-4157Anna De Benedetti3Stefano Fumagalli4Andrea Millul5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1013-5668Andrea Salmaggi6https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6925-3434Massimo Corbo7https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0793-9830Need Institute FoundationNeed Institute Foundation; Casa Maria delle Grazie, Community Dwelling for Cognitive DisabilitiesDepartment of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of PaviaUfficio del Medico Cantonale, Divisione della Salute Pubblica, Cantone TicinoCRAMS Centro Ricerca Arte Musica e Spettacolo, LeccoIstituti Riuniti Airoldi e Muzzi, Community dwelling for elderlyA. Manzoni Hospital, Neurosciences Dept.Neurorehabilitation Department, Casa di Cura Igea, Milano Elderly individuals affected by neurodegenerative diseases or cerebrovascular disorders commonly exhibit a progressive decline in cognitive function, accompanied by psychiatric and neurobehavioral symptoms that may be ameliorated through the utilisation of non-pharmacological interventions. The primary aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of novel intervention approaches with technological tools for cognitive stimulation in a geriatric population experiencing cognitive impairment. Interactive cognitive stimulation activities, integrating a robust musical element, were employed not only to enhance cognitive functions but also to promote social interaction among participants. Eight Italian long-term care homes (LTCHs) and day centres, along with two facilities in Switzerland, participated in the study. Each facility was provided with an interactive table featuring serious games, available for approximately one month. Subjects voluntarily engaged in group-based stimulation sessions comprising two to four individuals. A total of 25 health assistants and 110 subjects with cognitive impairment took part in the study. Overall, there was a significant improvement in participants’ QUALID scores upon completion of the study (t = 2.9191; df = 99; p < 0.005). Interestingly, individuals who attended a greater number of sessions exhibited more pronounced psychiatric and behavioural symptoms, as well as lower quality of life scores at both the beginning (T0) and end (T1) of the trial. It is important to note that this study was not a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and participant recruitment was based on voluntary participation without strict inclusion criteria for ensuring proper randomization. This pioneering approach demonstrates the capacity to synergistically enhance conventional methods of cognitive stimulation and socialization for elderly individuals with cognitive impairment. https://account.journal.ilpnetwork.org/index.php/lse-j-jltc/article/view/241cognitive impairmentneurodegenerative diseasescerebrovascular disordersserious gamestechnological deviceolder adults
spellingShingle Verena Biscaro
Matteo Sozzi
Danilo Spada
Anna De Benedetti
Stefano Fumagalli
Andrea Millul
Andrea Salmaggi
Massimo Corbo
Impact of BRAINART: A Music-Based Interactive Technology Tool on Cognition, Behavioural Symptoms, and Quality of Life of People With Cognitive Decline: A Mixed Methods Study in Italy and Switzerland
Journal of Long-Term Care
cognitive impairment
neurodegenerative diseases
cerebrovascular disorders
serious games
technological device
older adults
title Impact of BRAINART: A Music-Based Interactive Technology Tool on Cognition, Behavioural Symptoms, and Quality of Life of People With Cognitive Decline: A Mixed Methods Study in Italy and Switzerland
title_full Impact of BRAINART: A Music-Based Interactive Technology Tool on Cognition, Behavioural Symptoms, and Quality of Life of People With Cognitive Decline: A Mixed Methods Study in Italy and Switzerland
title_fullStr Impact of BRAINART: A Music-Based Interactive Technology Tool on Cognition, Behavioural Symptoms, and Quality of Life of People With Cognitive Decline: A Mixed Methods Study in Italy and Switzerland
title_full_unstemmed Impact of BRAINART: A Music-Based Interactive Technology Tool on Cognition, Behavioural Symptoms, and Quality of Life of People With Cognitive Decline: A Mixed Methods Study in Italy and Switzerland
title_short Impact of BRAINART: A Music-Based Interactive Technology Tool on Cognition, Behavioural Symptoms, and Quality of Life of People With Cognitive Decline: A Mixed Methods Study in Italy and Switzerland
title_sort impact of brainart a music based interactive technology tool on cognition behavioural symptoms and quality of life of people with cognitive decline a mixed methods study in italy and switzerland
topic cognitive impairment
neurodegenerative diseases
cerebrovascular disorders
serious games
technological device
older adults
url https://account.journal.ilpnetwork.org/index.php/lse-j-jltc/article/view/241
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