Music-based motor training in older adults:  exploring the effects on dual tasks

Background: Performing two tasks simultaneously (dual tasking) can cause cognitive motor interference (CMI), particularly in older adults. This can impact daily activities, such as walking while scheduling an appointment. Previous studies suggest that music-based motor training may improve dual-task performance and reduce CMI. However, this is not yet studied in older adults. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether music-based motor training transfers to a cognitive-motor dual task by reducing CMI in healthy older adults. Additional aims were to explore relationships between tapping performance (timing accuracy) and CMI before and after training, between inhibition and CMI, and between CMI and quality of life. Methods: Thirty-eight healthy older adults completed an eight-week finger sequence tapping training. The music group received both visual and musical cues, while the control group received only visual cues. Before and after training, a dual task was assessed...Show moreBackground: Performing two tasks simultaneously (dual tasking) can cause cognitive motor interference (CMI), particularly in older adults. This can impact daily activities, such as walking while scheduling an appointment. Previous studies suggest that music-based motor training may improve dual-task performance and reduce CMI. However, this is not yet studied in older adults. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether music-based motor training transfers to a cognitive-motor dual task by reducing CMI in healthy older adults. Additional aims were to explore relationships between tapping performance (timing accuracy) and CMI before and after training, between inhibition and CMI, and between CMI and quality of life. Methods: Thirty-eight healthy older adults completed an eight-week finger sequence tapping training. The music group received both visual and musical cues, while the control group received only visual cues. Before and after training, a dual task was assessed to calculate dual task costs (DTC) as an indicator of CMI. Tapping performance was measured by timing accuracy, inhibition by the Stroop Test, and quality of life by the EuroQol-5D-5L. A two-way mixed ANOVA and multiple regressions were performed. Results: Music-based motor training did not significantly reduce CMI compared with the control group for (motor DTC: p = .428, 𝜂² = .018; cognitive DTC: p = .112, 𝜂² = .069). Furthermore, no significant relationship was found between timing accuracy and CMI, change in timing accuracy and motor DTC, inhibition and CMI (p = .215 - .580) with a small effect size (adj. R² = -.025 - .084). Change in timing accuracy was significantly related to cognitive DTC (p = .007, adj. R² = .206, explaining .497 of the variance), in the opposite direction than expected (β = .499). Lastly, CMI was not significantly related to quality of life (p = .077 -.451) with a small effect size (adj. R² = -.008 - .108). Conclusion: Contrary to expectations, music-based motor training did not reduce CMI in healthy older adults. Changes in timing accuracy were unrelated or oppositely related to CMI, inhibition showed no association, and CMI was not related to quality of life. These results indicate that the transfer effects from motor training to dual tasks may be limited in older adults. Future studies should further explore the role of working memory and task prioritization and include lower-educated participants in understanding transfer mechanisms.Show less

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Music-based motor training in older adults: exploring the effects on dual tasks