Frequent Karaoke Training Improves Frontal Executive Cognitive Skills, Tongue Pressure, and Respiratory Function in Elderly People: Pilot Study from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

We tested whether karaoke training improves cognitive skills and reduces the risk of physical function impairments. We conducted a single-blinded randomized controlled trial in 26 elderly participants at residential care facilities, who were generally healthy or required the lowest level of care. Participants were near the threshold for mild cognitive impairment with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and close to the sarcopenia cut-off with the skeletal muscle mass index. Pulmonary function as measured with spirometry and tongue strength were used as markers for physical functions affected by sarcopenia. Karaoke training occurred once a week for two hours, with an hour of homework assigned weekly. Karaoke training significantly improved the Frontal Assessment Battery at bedside (FAB) compared with an active control group receiving scratch art training (F = 8.04, permutation p-value = 0.013). Subscore improved with inhibitory control (F = 7.63, permutation p-value = 0.015) and sensitivity to interference (F = 11.98, permutation p-value = 0.001). We observed improved tongue pressure (F = 4.49, permutation p-value = 0.040) and pulmonary function by a greater increase in FIV1 (F = 5.22, permutation p-value = 0.047). Engaging elderly people, especially those in care homes, with karaoke training exercises that are moderately physically challenging may be a key to slowing cognitive decline and preventing dysphagia by sarcopenia.

Engaging in musical activities and the risk of dementia in older adults: A longitudinal study from the Japan gerontological evaluation study

“…Compared with scratch art, practicing karaoke led to improved cognitive functions, such as sensitivity to interference and inhibitory control. 30 In contrast, the present results disagreed with a previous finding from the JAGES suggesting no significant association between practicing karaoke and the risk of dementia. 14 This inconsistency could be attributed to the differences in defining the exposure and reference groups; we compared in the present study the risk of dementia in older adults who practiced karaoke only with the risk in those who did not practice any musical activities at all whereas Ling et al compared participants who practiced karaoke with those who did not practice karaoke, without considering whether or not the participants, in both groups, were practicing other musical activities.…”

The health impact of an innovative summer camp for older adults: a pilot study using an interdisciplinary collaborative approach

“…The present findings were similar to those of a study conducted in Japan by Miyazaki and Mori [ 17 ] that found that frequent karaoke training for older adults significantly improved their bedside Frontal Assessment Battery scores compared to that of an active control group receiving scratch art training. The karaoke intervention group also demonstrated improved tongue pressure and pulmonary function, with a greater increase in FEV1.…”

“…Furthermore, the literature has indicated that certain social activities can positively affect health and well-being in older adults. For instance, frequent participation in karaoke, a group singing activity, has been shown to improve respiratory function in older adults and improve mood and reported sense of well-being [ 17 – 19 ].…”

The Effect of Music-Based Intervention on General Cognitive and Executive Functions, and Episodic Memory in People with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Recent Randomized Controlled Trials

“…The sample sizes ranged from 26 to 298 (11 studies including 10–50 people; 5 studies including 51–100 people, 1 study including 101–200 people, and 2 studies including 201–300 people), the mean age ranged from 60.0 to 87.1 years, and the percentage of females ranged from 50.0% to 100% ( Table 1 ). Regarding the severity of dementia, three studies claimed that they recruited participants with MCI [ 41 , 42 , 43 ], six studies claimed that they recruited participants with mild-to-moderate dementia [ 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ], two included participants with severe dementia [ 50 , 51 ], and eight included participants with dementia of any severity level [ 45 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ].…”