Music for the Mind Study

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn if older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) find two music programs equally acceptable. This pilot study will help researchers prepare for a future, large-scale clinical trial to learn if music training can slow cognitive decline and promote emotional well-being in those at risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The main questions this pilot study aims to answer are: * Do participants like the music programs? * Do participants stay enrolled in the study? * Do participants report perceived benefits of the programs for their emotional well-being or everyday memory? Participants will: * Participate in 12-weekly sessions of piano lessons or music lessons, with group and individual lessons alternating each week. * Have home practice in between lessons, with a keyboard or other instruments provided. * Keep a diary of their home practice and their mood before and after practice. * Participate in interviews before and after the 12-week programs.

NCT Number	NCT06866327
Lead Sponsor	University of Rochester Collaborators: Eastman Performing Arts Medicine Center, University of Rochester Aging Institute, University of Rochester School of Nursing
Conditions	Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Memory Disorders, Age Related, Memory Decline
Enrollment	19 participants
Start Date	2025-02-24
Primary Completion	2025-09-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2025-09-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-04-08